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Potential Threats Posed by Nanotechnology

Speculation about the problems nanotechnology may introduce to society range from the conceivable – waste particles of nanotechnology will be detrimental to the health of its handlers, as is asbestos fibers and carbon soot – to the surreal – the “gray goo” theory, which posits that nanobots will self-replicate, overrun, and destroy the earth as we know it.

The inescapable fact is that nanotechnology has its share of both mild and fatal risks. Among the identified are: disruption of economies due to shifts in availability and cost paradigms of products, across the board obsolescence of previously used products, severely impeded defense systems against criminals and terrorists, unbalanced arms races between countries, and negative environmental consequences due to a badly or completely unregulated market.

Experts believe that the maturation of nanotechnology research and development may be as little as fifteen years away. The speed with which progress is being made in this field demands the parallel and equally exhaustive design and implementation of solutions to keep potential dangers under control.

Book Resources On Potential Threats Posed by Nanotechnology

21st Century Complete Guide to Nanotechnology Risks to Safety, Health, and the Environment by National Nanotechnology Initiative
Understanding Nanotechnology by Scientific American

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