The Social Implications of Nanotechnology

There are many writings, papers and even books about this issue and many experts and social psychologist are worried about the implications that the impact of nanotechnology could produce in society. The big question is what are currently the societal implications of the use of Nanoscience? The preoccupation of first generation nanomaterials is one of the highest worries. I think nanoscience should be a vehicle to bring out new opportunities to serve the human race but at the same time the scientists and professionals involved should face the problems that result.

Nanotechnology and technology development should meet the social objectives and that ís why social scientists have suggested that the nanotechnology field can be understood and assessed not simply by experts, it's important that some groups can support and asses in the right dimension the nanoscience. Also other organizations suggest that technology assessment along with the government should try to promote and then involve public participation. These decisions are very important because according to the predictions of many experts nanotechnology will give to the world the next 'industrial revolution'.

Our economies will be impacted with this revolution, also our labor markets, international commerce, the structures and mechanism of manufacture probably will alter beyond recognition. There are some argumentations relating to think of the social impact of nanotechnology as a 'technological tsunami' an enormous impact that will change dramatically the fabric of society. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC Center for Technology Foresight) : 'If nanotechnology is going to revolutionize manufacturing, health care, energy supply, communications and probably defense, then it will transform labor and the workplace, the medical system, the transportation and power infrastructures and the military. None of the latter will be changed without significant social disruption.

However many skeptics about nanotechnology do not believe in the solution we can obtain from nanoscience suggest that it will cause a bigger problem in the social and economical aspect and will produce a distribution of the power that would be wrong. Also they said that nanotechnology possibly has the power to destabilize international relations and will break down the barriers between life and non-life nanobiotechnology redefining the meaning it has for common people. Also they think that there are dangers of misuse for biological warfare also known as germ warfare, biological weapons or bioweapons, utilizing non living toxic products even if produced by living organisms is considered chemical warfare. This is of real concern to many eminate people.

People dealing with the ethical aspects of nanotechnology argue that such transformative technology could exacerbate the division of rich and poor know as 'nano-divide' However nanotechnology can economically develop technology such as digital music player, notebooks. In the health sector, technology is giving the poorer arears access to drugs and other medical aid. The transhumanists see nanotechnology as a radical mechanism to change human nature itself ranging from curing diseases to develop high and sophisticated technology. In the book 'Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Technology' published in 2001, Mihail C. Roco, William Sims Bainbridge said: 'Today nanotechnology is still in its infancy, because only rudimentary nanostructures can be created with some control. However, among the envisioned breakthroughs are orders-of-magnitude increases in computer efficiency, human organ restoration using engineered tissue, materials created from directed assembly of atoms and molecules, as well as emergence of entirely new phenomena in chemistry and physics'.

Moreover one can see the impact of nanotechnology in the social realm. To assess adequately nanotechnology's consequences, researchers must examine the complete system of which the technology is part through its entire life circle. The impact of nanotechnology initially will be limited to a few specific products and services. Nanotechnology-based good and services will probably be introduced earlier to those markets where consumers are willing to pay a premium for new improved performance.

By: Hector Nicolas Suero
NanoVip- StaffWriter