Today we learned a lot about nanotechnology and its relation to medicine and nature. We learned about the research that is being conducted to find an alternative to chemotherapy through the use of nanotechnology and nanobots. They would target only the diseased cells and spare the healthy ones, causing the patient a lot less suffering than if macrotechnology (like chemotherapy) was used. If we can find a safe way to detect and cure cancer, it would be a breakthrough in science and the medical field. In addition, the same technology could be used to treat so many other diseases and a new way of detecting disease and bacteria before the symptoms start to manifest itself.
During the day, we also got to visit some labs and professors, one of whom was studying cancer. We looked at cancer cells and discussed the possibilities of using nanotechnology as a safer way of treating diseases.
Nanotechnology used to kill cancer cells
We also learned about the environmental concerns related to nanotechnology. There is often concern that silver nanoparticles released may end up harming the surrounding environment. This may cause damage to the sewer system or ecological systems because the particles may kill off beneficial bacteria. So far, only Berkeley regulates waste on the nano scale, but many researchers and toxicologists are studying the adverse effects of nanotechnology on humans and nature.
Right now, there aren’t that many products on the market that include nanoparticles, such as the socks that kill bacteria through the inclusion of silver particles. However, this idea and research could lead to numerous other beneficial products such as anti-bacterial medicines, self-cleaning clothes, computer chips or anything else.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology
http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=77
http://nano.cancer.gov/resource_center/nano_critical.asp
http://ehstoday.com/industrial_hygiene/news/ehs_imp_79677/
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/February/25020901.asp
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