Issue in focus - nanotechnologies

Nanotechnologies involve manipulating materials at very small scales. Nanotechnologies promises great improvements to technology over the next few decades, but as with any new technology, nanotechnologies may also present risks that need to be addressed.

What is 'nano'?

The 'nano' (pronounced 'nanno') in nanotechnologies comes from the greek work for 'dwarf' and in this context simply means 'small'. 'Nano' is an abbreviation for nanometre, which is a millionth of a millimetre long, or a billionth of a metre. The nanoscale is usually (defined as 100 to 0.1 nanometres) and when measured in nanometres even things we consider to be quite small become very large. For instance, a human hair is 80,000 nanometres wide.

What are nanotechnologies?

Decades of research has enabled scientists and engineers to manipulate materials at smaller and smaller scales. There are many manufacturing processes (notably the manufacture of some computer chip components, and the creation of chemical polymers) that routinely occur at the nanoscale. However, nanotechnologies are still primarily used as research tools to investigate the properties of materials and cellular function.

The techniques of nanotechnologies are precise enough to manipulate molecules and even atoms. Using special arrangements of molecules, molecular motors have been created, which may eventually lead to the development of molecular machines.

What products can be created with nanotechnologies?

The tiny sizes inherent in nanotechologies mean, together with the novel properties of nanoscale materials and devices, mean that there are applications for nanotechnologies in a number of manufacturing processes. Eventually nanotechnologies may revolutionise engineering, electronics, and industry, and open up new types of applications and fields of study. Even the way clothing is manufactured may be affected by nanotechnologies: a recent nanotechnological innovation has lead to the creation of socks that actively eliminate foot odour!

Nanotechnologies may also provide more accurate health treatments, for example treatments that specifically target tumour sites without affecting healthy tissue. Synthetic organs and other tissue may also be created with the help of nanotechnologies.

There are also environmental applications for nanotechnologies. Nanotechnologies can be used for water filters to improve water supply quality. Nanotechnologies may also be used to decontaminate soil at toxic waste sites.

Research in nanotechnologies in New Zealand

Some research in nanotechnology is currently being undertaken in New Zealand. The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology was established in 2002 to develop materials science and nanotechnology development in New Zealand and several other research institutes and companies are also undertaking research into nanotechnologies.

The Foundation for Research, Science & Technology provides funding to investigate social impacts of new technologies, such as nanotechnologies.

The risks of nanotechnologies

Because nanotechnologies operate in scales that are unfamiliar to humans, and because nanotechnologies is so broad in scope, there is much uncertainty regarding both short- and long-term consequences. For example, the effect of nanoparticles (nanoscale particles created for some nanotechnological purposes) that may be released into the environment is unknown.

It is also unknown how nanotechnologies may affect society. For example, the electronic miniaturisation of nanotechnologies will improve surveillance technologies, which may lead to issues with privacy and civil liberties. Nanotechnologies may also create inequalities in society if the benefits of nanotechnologies are not provided equally to all.

Regulation of nanotechnologies

As yet there are no specific regulatory mechanisms for nanotechnologies anywhere in the world. One reason for this is that nanotechnologies can be applied in many different areas. Another reason is that applications for nanotechnologies are only now emerging, and unlike cloning or genetic modification, nanotechnologies have not yet raised immediate concerns. However, in response to the recent worldwide controversy over GM crops, some Governments are now starting to look at the potential risks of nanotechnologies before many products of the nanotechnologies become available.

A landmark publication regarding nanotechnologies and their potential impacts, Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties, was published by the UK Royal Society in July 2004. Focussed on the regulatory regime in the UK and European Union, the report found that regulations in place for the manufacture and disposal of chemicals are flexible enough to accommodate nanotechnology. However, the report recommends some regulation to avoid nanoparticles (small particles of chemicals developed for nanotechnological purposes) being released into the environment until their effect is better understood. The report also recommends that precautions should be taken to protect those researchers and workers who work with nanotechnologies, and research performed to measure the effects of contact with nanoparticles.

Currently, several research groups are investigating potential adverse health and environmental effects of exposure to nanoparticles.

Regulation of nanotechnologies in New Zealand

There is no specific regulation of nanotechnologies in New Zealand. The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act is likely to be relevant to some but not all nanotechnological products, while the Medicines Act will be relevant for regulating some treatments and devices that involve nanotechnologies. New Zealand agencies, such as the Environmental Risk Management Authority, have started to consider what current regulations do and may not cover.

In 2003 the New Zealand Bioethics Council developed Report on nanotechnology to the Minister for the Environment. The report included a recommendation that the New Zealand Government "note the emergence of nanotechnology as a potentially socially contentious technology, as well as one with potential benefits".

Links

• The Foresight Institute's goal is to promote nanotechnology to improve the human condition.
• Small Talk is a UK collaboration exploring the aspirations and concerns of scientists and the public about nanotechnologies.