Published by Australian Academy of Science
Nanotechnology – taking it to the people Box 2 | Beyond the grey goo

In years gone by it has been suggested that nanotechnology might be a Pandora's Box and that the creation of self-replicating nanomachines would lead to a grey goo taking over the world. As the realities of nanotechnology have begun to take form, the 'grey goo' scenario has been increasingly dismissed as speculative rubbish, though there remains significant fear in many quarters that nanotechnology may still contain a hidden sting in the tail.

There is a growing concern, for example, about the health risks posed by some nanoparticles. Experimental studies in rats have shown that at equivalent mass doses, insoluble ultrafine particles (smaller than 100 nanometers) are more potent than large particles of similar composition in causing pulmonary inflammation and lung tumors. Whether these effects would occur in exposed workers is not known.

A 2004 report by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom concluded that many applications of nanotechnologies pose no new health or safety risks. However, some nanoparticles that are freely mobile may have the potential for negative health and environmental impacts because of their size or particular chemical properties. It is reasonable to assume that at least some manufactured nanoparticles may be more toxic per unit of mass than the bulk material. The report recommended that in the specific case of free nanoparticles and free nanotubes, existing regulatory frameworks need to be modified and that until more is known about the environmental impacts of nanoparticles and nanotubes, release into the environment should be avoided.

Social and ethical concerns about nanotechnology

As with the spread of any powerful new technology, there are likely to be a range of negative as well as positive outcomes associated with nanotechnology. While nanotechnology may provide us with clean water and cheaper medicines, these benefits might only accrue in the developed world with the developing world missing out. Just as there is a growing 'digital divide' between countries with information technology skills and developing nations that lack these skills, so too there is potential of a growing 'nano divide'.

Smaller sensors, more effective electronics and computers are expected outcomes of nanotechnology. They will improve our capacity to monitor society and keep track of people considered a risk to the community. This provides greater security and addresses potential problems before they become a threat, but it also makes it easier for governments to enforce control and has the potential to threaten our privacy.

Nanotechnology also promises improved drugs, drug delivery and disease diagnosis and treatment. Each new drug, however, also brings its own range of risks, which may not be realised for many years. Improved disease diagnosis might also have privacy implications as it becomes possible to screen whole populations for specific problems.

Many issues that relate to the safe and ethical use of nanotechnology overlap with other areas of technology such as biotechnology and information technology. In a sense, it's not the technology that is in question but the control over its use and the equitable distribution of benefits.

Related sites

• Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: Opportunities and uncertainties (The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, UK)

• What is nanotechnology and what can it do? (AZoNano.com)

• The Ethics of Nanotechnology (Nanotechnology Now)

• Nanodevelopment (Higher Education and Research Opportunities, UK)

Other boxes

Box 1. Putting nanopowders to work