According to a survey that was administered in several countries in 2019, at least 44% of the public is uninformed about nanotechnology, its benefits, risks, and even applications. This group, though not a majority, is certainly significant enough to indicate the level of ignorance that surrounds this emerging topic. Though this statistic may sound easy to change, it is far more alarming than it seems for it enables the minority that reject and/or fear nanotechnology to voice their opinions loudly. They overshadow the 44% who are yet to be educated. So, what is the result? The public is lumped together into one fearful group whether said fear is real or not. How do we go about changing this? Is it that easy to change? The feasible answer is no, this statistic is not as easy to change as one may think. This is because as technology continues to evolve and play a larger role in the medical field, so does misinformation, invalid fear, and the “what ifs” that play like broken records in people’s minds. However, the best way to combat this ignorance is through research and education.
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is “the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules.” To put it in simple terms, nanotechnology deals with the atomic level, with the tiny cells and atoms that other technology usually fails to deal with. So if it is just another type of technology that aids medical professionals, why is it feared?
Image is courtesy of AZO Nano.
Nanotechnology’s Day-to-Day Uses
On the bigger scale, nanotechnology is an agent of medical imaging, chronic illness treatment, disease diagnosis, gene therapy, and drug delivery. Obviously, these applications are extremely helpful, life saving even. However, let us focus on how nanotech has impacted the regular person on a day to day basis. First of all, has it? Yes, undoubtedly. You may be a totally healthy person who does not require any of the procedures or applications listed, yet you have probably encountered nanotech more often than not. For instance, if you are one of many people that use a computer or laptop for work or personal use, then you have encountered nanotech. Nanotechnology is used in the circuits that are in computers and laptops to make them more efficient and speedy. Or maybe you drive to work? Nanotechnology is also used in cars to improve gas mileage. Though not widely adopted, nanotech is also used in car paint to prevent scratches and provide better protection. Water and stain resistant clothing also incorporates nanotech. Or maybe you are an athlete? Nanotechnology helps improve sports equipment too. For example, tennis balls that include nanotech can bounce for longer periods of time than those that do not. Finally, most sunscreen products contain nanotech that helps absorb UV lights so that damage to the skin is minimized. All of these uses are vital to the everyday lives of people and to the quality of life that they maintain.
Image is courtesy of AZO Nano.
Medical Breakthroughs
What about the medical uses? Do they truly work in the medical field? Yes, they do help patients, yet they also pose risks that can diminish their advantages. Nanotechnology can be used to deliver drugs while diminishing cost, toxicity exposed to vital organs, and side effects that might emerge due to the drug. This is a pivotal breakthrough in targeted disease treatment. Moreover, such technology can be used to treat cancer. Nanotechnology can be deployed and used to burn tumors. According to AZO Nano, “by using near infrared-absorbing polyethylene-coated gold nanoshells of 130 nm, it can be used to inhibit the growth of a tumor.” Yet another possible breakthrough through the use of nanotechnology. They are also used in burn medications for they are inert nanoshells, meaning they are not reactive, and they are anti-inflammatory and antibacterial so they often do not cause other major side effects.
Nanotechnology seems to be the key to a pathway of new treatments, strategies, and breakthroughs. It is evident that it possesses a great number of strengths that are extremely helpful for medical professionals. And the great thing is that new uses seem to emerge exponentially for nanotech. However, this seems almost too good to be true. Earlier, it appeared that the public did seem fearful of nanotech and its risks. So, let us explore these risks and examine their validity.
Image is courtesy of Alpine Security.
How Substantial are the Risks?
Nanotechnology can be toxic. Unfortunately, there are downsides to such technology. While it is true that they can help prevent toxicity that spreads to vital organs when it comes to drug delivery, they themselves can become toxic. Of course, this depends on a variety of factors like structure, size, coating, and surface area. Certain combinations of such factors can lead to greater risks of reactivity which means a greater risk of harmful side effects.
Everyday encounters also lead to such risks. For instance, the sunscreen or anti wrinkle cream that one uses can include a great deal of nanotechnology, that is, untested nanotechnology. Cosmetics can include nanotechnology that has not been tested in extensive clinical trials. This itself is a risk because the long-term effects, short-term effects, and side effects remain unknown. With this level of uncertainty, the public is bound to be fearful.
Besides the uncertainty of the effects thereof, there is certainty in the threats they impose to the nervous system and lungs. If identified as foreign particles, nanoparticles can trigger a response in the immune system that can lead to serious cardiovascular problems. For example, according to AZO Nano, when nanoparticles are identified as invaders, “The immune system starts releasing cytokines which is a chemical substance usually released whenever the body is exposed to foreign materials. These particles cause a reaction in the lung same as any pollutant or inflammatory substances, sometimes also affecting the reactive oxygen species (ROS), in extreme situations can trigger cardiac events.”
While there are risks associated with the use of nanotechnology, there are also ways to prevent and minimize them. Medical professionals are especially exposed to these threats so they are advised to handle experiments that include nanoparticles with special care. In the United States, nanotechnology is under regulation by the FDA. However, Canada has yet to regulate nanotechnology. Regulation or no regulation, it is evident that medical professionals are cautious of extensive exposure to nanotechnology due to the uncertainty that continues to surround it.
Are the Benefits Worth It?
It is hard to give a definitive answer. For people whose last resort is nanotechnology, yes. For those that are weary of the uncertainty circling it, maybe not. However, uncertainty has always been a major part of medicine and it will continue to be for it is a field reliant on new breakthroughs. It is difficult to claim that nanotechnology is not one of those breakthroughs. Throughout history, new technologies have continued to be met with resistance and fear. Who can say that the same does not apply to nanotech? Does not every surgery, procedure, medication, or remedy display some rate of risk? Thus, it is vital that nanotechnology continues to be researched so that those who approve of it can be given the chance to reap its benefits. A single person can not decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks for everyone. However, we can educate ourselves on the emerging world of nanotechnology so that we can make a reasonable judgment of it. More importantly, so that we can help decrease the fear and misinformation that spread among the public.
References
Crawford, M. (2016, March 6). 10 Ways Nanotechnology Impacts Our Lives. ASME. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/10-ways-nanotechnology-impacts-lives.
Moore, S. (2020, February 19). Nanotechnology in Australia market report. AZoNano.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5401.
Ray, U. (2019, January 4). The Health Impact of Nanotechnology. AZoNano.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5113.
Saul, L. (2019, January 17). Nanotechnology: The risks and rewards. AZoNano.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5111.
Security, A. (2020, August 7). Hacking Humans with Nanotechnology. Alpine Security. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://alpinesecurity.com/blog/hacking-humans-with-nanotechnology/.
Article Author: Scarlet Affa
Article Editors: Victoria Huang, Sherilyn Wen