The Effects Of Nanotechnology On Human Health

Introduction

Issues pertaining to technology have raised a lot of controversy in the recent times. It goes without saying that technology has played an immense role in enhancing the quality of life, especially with regard to the efficiency in the production of goods and services. However, questions have been raised as to the costs and benefits pertaining to the adoption of certain technologies. This is especially for nanotechnology, a relatively new form of technology that involves the engineering of the functional systems at the molecular scale. One of the common things about the articles examined in this case is that their acknowledgement of the deficiency of tests pertaining to the effects of nanotechnology on human health. While nanotechnology may come with numerous benefits, it is evident that little is known about its effects, in which case its adoption should be checked.

In an article at Huffington Post, Wong acknowledges that nanotechnology provides numerous potential developments in tissue regeneration, pharmaceuticals, diagnosis, medical imaging, cancer treatment, as well as multifunctional platforms that blend a number of these modes of action (Wong 3). A large part of the projected promise of the use of nanotechnology in medicine revolves around smart technologies, with future developmental phases in nano-medicine being likely to take advantage of blended applications. This would occur through the use of nanomedicine blended with current treatments or even the application of single nanomedicine applications in varied modes of action such as treatment and diagnosis. However, it is still unclear whether increased exposure, production and handling of nanomaterilas would result in adverse effects to the environment or human beings. Indeed, public acceptance and commercial success of technology-based products may have been limited by toxicity (Wong 15).

In the New York Times, Storm echoes similar sentiments and notes the increased incorporation of nanotechnology in well-known food products, as well as their packaging (Storm 1). However, few companies acknowledge to using the technology or even have concrete policies pertaining to the same. While a number of food companies may have shown some interest in nanotechnology as it would assist in brightening colors, enhancing flavors and making the products creamier without the use of additional fat, they have disastrous effects on cells and mice. They come in extremely small sizes that allow nanoparticles to enter body parts where larger particles would be unable to enter. Indeed, these particles find their way to the blood stream after inhalation and ingestion, with studies showing that they have deleterious effects on cells and mice.

However, Leonard seems to disagree with the notion on the negative impacts of nanotechnology. He sees the key negative impact would revolve around the inequality among people of different classes. He states that such technological convergence would improve the possibility of enhancing the capabilities, functions and structure of human brains and bodies. It would not merely result in the elimination of disabilities and illnesses, rather it could also lead to faster, stronger bodies that would perform way better than brains. On the same note, he states that the key problem lies not in the use of this technology, not to treat ailments but to enhance human body capabilities, in which case, it will be more difficult to tell the difference between ailments and less-than-optimum health, or distinguish between enhancement and therapy (Leonard 3).

Nevertheless, Priest presents the dilemma that comes with the nanotechnology. She notes that there has not been much popular alarm in spite of the emerging evidence pertaining to the potential toxicity on the environment and human health from some types of nanotechnology (Priest 2). Indeed, there is uncertainty over the products and circumstances that should trigger concern. While there may be no clarity as to the effects of nanotechnology, Priest quotes two prior incidents when nanotechnology was shown to have devastating effects on human health. In 2006, German consumers apparently had serious respiratory problems from the use of a household cleaning product. Three years later, reports were published indicating that a group of Chinese factory workers suffered from severe lung disease, as well as deaths thanks to the exposure to nanoparticles alongside other chemicals (Priest 2). While being fearful of technology may hinder individuals from enjoying its benefits, being too trusting may expose them to too many risks.

In conclusion, these articles underline the fact that there is no clarity as to the potential effects of nanotechnology on human health and environment. However, prior reports have indicated that it may have negative effects. There have been reports that nanoparticles are extremely small in which case they can get sucked to the blood stream after being inhaled or ingested. In addition, some reports have indicated that the technology causes respiratory diseases, lung diseases, as well as death, with varied incidents having been reported in Chinese factories and Germany. Nevertheless, fearing this new technology would make individuals lose out on its benefits, while being too trusting of it would expose individuals to risk. In essence, it would be imperative that comprehensive experiments are carried out to determine its impact, which would allow for the weighing of its benefits against the costs or impacts, thereby determining its appropriateness.

Works cited

Strom, Stephanie. Study Looks at Particles Used in Food. The New York Times, 2013. Web retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/business/nanoparticles-in-” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/business/nanoparticles-in-

Priest, Susanna. Opinion: No Objections to Nano? The Scientist Magazine, 2012. Web retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/31674/titl” http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/31674/titl

Wong, Julielynn. Nanomedicine: Big Potential for Small Products. The Huffington Post, 2013. Web retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julielynn-wong-md/nanomedici” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julielynn-wong-md/nanomedici

Leonard, Andrew. Nanotech class warfare. Salong.com 2006, web retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.salon.com/2006/09/13/nanotech_south/” http://www.salon.com/2006/09/13/nanotech_south/