Week 8

There truly is beauty in the tiny. From this week's material the topic that interested me most was how nanotechnology is challenging the way people perceive the world, like in Nano_essence, and how nanotechnology is being challenged, in the case of ETC Group. 

 In Nano_essence, we analyze a single skin cell under an Atomic Force Microscope to "explore the comparisons between life and death." Nanotechnology is challenging when life begins, a question that can be answered many different ways. From a different perspective, nanotechnologies are being challenged in their safety, with the ETC Group's site stating that "new nanomaterials potentially [threaten] raw material economies of the south and [pose] new health risks to workers and the public at large." ("Nanotechnology") Nanotechnology both brings up controversial questions in its subjects and is controversial in itself. 
Atomic Force Microscope

ETC Group staff/board members

Personally I think nanotechnology has brought way more good than it has harm. From a recent visit to the California Science Center, I learned how little we think of nanotechnology being integrated in our lives. Even shoes integrate nanotechnology! Furthermore, medical advancements integrating nanotechnology has made waves in the field. Take for example the Bio-Nano-Chip system which helps "provide health care providers and clinicians a means to quickly and objectively measure, track, and diagnose a patient’s past and present physiological state for a wide range of conditions." (Mp) This chip can greatly improve healthcare services and make check-ups and treatment more efficient. 
A picture of an installation at the California Science Center
where they show how even shoes integrate nanotechnology.

Sources

Mp, Mcdevitt Jt Mcrae. “Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip System: A Flexible Diagnostic Platform That Learns.” Journal of Biosensors & Bioelectronics, vol. 06, no. 02, 2015, doi:10.4172/2155-6210.1000e137.

 “Adidas' Revolutionary Nanotechnology Shoe for Beijing Olympics.” Nanowerk, Nanowerk, 16 Aug. 2008, www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=6782.php.

 “About ETC.” ETC Group, www.etcgroup.org/about.

 Christodoulides, et al. “Innovative Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip Digitizes Biology Using Sensors That Learn Bridging Biomarker Discovery and Clinical Implementation.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 2 May 2017, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00110/full.

 “TT- Atomic Force Microscope Stage.” AFMWorkshop, www.afmworkshop.com/atomic-force-microscope-stage.html.

 “John Curtin Gallery.” Art.Base, BASE, 11 Mar. 2010, art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology.

 “Nanotechnology.” ETC Group, www.etcgroup.org/issues/nanotechnology.

 Ford, Jeremy. “Programmable Bio-Nano-Chips: First Viable Medical Lab on a Chip?” Singularity Hub, Singularity Hub, 16 Feb. 2011, singularityhub.com/2011/02/16/programmable-bio-nano-chips-the-first-viable-medical-lab-on-a-chip/#sm.000g2zh4s1e5nez8tps2ovrj2ds8q.

Comments

  1. Cheata SeMay 24, 2018 at 11:43 PM

    I agree with you that nanotechnology has, so far, brought more good than harm, especially in the medical research field. It allows scientists to create many new materials and devices that could assist doctors in prolonging lifespan or cure a disease, etc. I understand that just as any other technology, nanotechnology might have negative impacts on our lives and our environment. However, since there has been no concrete evidence confirming the downside of nanotechnology, I believe we should take full advantage of it. Nevertheless, I think we should proceed with caution.

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