Nanotechnology Impact and Overview

Nanotoxicology is a study of potential health risks linked to nanomaterials. It is hard to pinpoint because every different nano material has a different health impact on our bodies. Overall however, nanotechnology is a legitimate issue because the nano-particles of nanotech can invade bodies and accumulate in organs and tissues. In addition, it is hard to regulate because the regulations would have to clarify a different set of regulations for each different nanomaterial: an unrealistic goal.

Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has potential in many bio-sensory applications. Scientists and doctors are seeking to use Nanotechnology as a molecular tool and to gather empirical information. The desired product is to develop medicine and treatment procedures. Speculative theorizes hope that Nanotechnology will soon be able to revolutionize drug delivery procedures, cancer treatment procedures, and enhanced imaging and sensory-mapping. 

Molecular nanotechnology is a sub-level of nanotechnology that works to developing machines that could manipulate molecular arrangements of both health factors and abiotic factors. Similar to the grey goo end-world scenario, the green goo is the application that organisms will self replicate through nanotech methods and take over the world. On a more realistic note, the potential with molecular nanotech is boundless: soon, we'll be able to isolate specific malignant cells and destroy them. Cancer, HIV: in effect, any disease affecting our cells could be targeted and treated.

NEC and IBM: These are two major nanotech patent owners. They hold the legal right to the carbon nanotube; a promising technology that will soon have applications in electronics, construction, military, drug therapy and others. In 2003 alone there were over 800 nano-related innovative patents granted. Nanotechnology is a ripening study-focus field arising on the global stage right now.

Nanopollution in general is any and all waste made by nanomachines or during production of such devices. It is an issue because the nanomaterials can float rapidly through the air and developers still do not know if it can or will penetrate animal and plant cells. Some speculate that because these nanobits do not exist in nature that the environment as a whole will not know how to respond, inevitably suffering. In addition, even any attempts at disposal of such nanotech pieces could cause more environmental damage: it could be that the permanent damage has already been introduced into our ecosystems across Earth.