Nanotechnology. The next big thing that
could potentially completely revolutionize the industry. Governments are
investing billions of dollars in the field of nanotechnology and scientists are
predicting that it will take many different industries by storm. What exactly
is this new phenomenon that is causing all this fuss?
Nanotechnology is the precise manipulation
of materials and molecules at a whole new level – an extremely small,
nanoscopic level. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. To put that into
perspective, “If
a nanometer were somehow magnified to appear as long as the nose on your face…
a human hair would be about two or three miles wide [and] one of your fingers
would span the continental United States.” At a nanoscale, everyday, ordinary
materials can have amazing, extraordinary properties. Furthermore, since
nanotechnology allows us to manipulate atoms, the very building blocks of
nature, this could give us the ability to create virtually anything.
Just
think about the possibilities that could arise from this! We could create
almost anything in a stronger, lighter and better form using even garbage!
Certain diseases would be eliminated. Human life could be extended for hundreds
of years, through cellular repair enabled by nanotechnology. Although research
is only just beginning for this new field, the incredible predictions for what
nanotechnology could accomplish have already been made.
We
must, however, stop to think about the possible risks involved in this
revolutionary technology. Imagine for a second, this immense power falling into
the wrong hands. Not everyone in this world is working towards creating a
better society and environment. Some could harness this power and create
potentially horrific things. For example, atomic weapons could be made to be
much more powerful and destructive. More importantly, they would be more
accessible to all the wrong people. The idea of enabling terrorists to get
their hands on such a deadly weapon is not one I would like to toy with.
While the development of nanotechnology has
far-reaching, incredible and almost unimaginable benefits, one must also
consider the immense risks that it brings. Will the government be able to
regulate exactly who does what with this technology? Are the advances in
society worth the potential destruction of it? With so many benefits and
consequences to weigh, the controversy surrounding nanotechnology is perhaps
something governments should consider more as they continue to invest huge sums
of money in the field. Who knew that such a small thing could have such a
massive impact?
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