1. The Dangers of Nanotechnology Daniel Moore Georgia Institute of Technology Tuesday, November 04, 2003

2. Overview • New technologies bring the potential for new dangers • Previous technological advancements and their unforeseen dangers • What is nanotechnology and why is it extraordinary? • The (positive) potential of small things • Threats • Biological • Environmental • Military • Other • No policy scenario • Policy Suggestions

3. New technologies and new dangers • Humanity is acquiring all the right technology for all the wrong reasons. • R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983) • New technologies have brought with them many troubles. • Progress without limits is not the best policy.

4. Previous technological advancements and their unforeseen dangers

5. Previous technological advancements and their unforeseen dangers • Even “peaceful” uses of technology have had horrible disasters. • The Chernobyl disaster was spread by wind to three continents within 9 days. Spread of Chernobyl radiation

6. Previous technological advancements and their unforeseen dangers • Not just nuclear • The use of CFCs endanger our ozone and the entire climate system on Earth. • Silicon breast implants ended up leaking and being extremely dangerous to the patient. • Cancer clusters appear near power lines due to radiation.

7. What is Nanotechnology and why is it extraordinary? • The term “nanotechnology” refers to any technology related to features of nanometer scale (i.e. the scale on which viruses and bacteria exist). • It gives control over properties of materials and structures at an atomic scale, so that engineering of materials and devices specific to a need is extremely simple and cheap. • This kind of control has never before been seen in human history. Artist rendition of a “Nanobot”

8. The (positive) potential of small things • Nanotechnology may lead to greater control and precision over device design. • It might lead to greater control over properties of new materials. • It might lead to more targeted drug delivery. • It may provide greater sensing technology.

9. Problem: The Potential Threats of Nanotechnology • As with all new technology, we should evaluate nanotechnology not only on its potential gains, but also on its potential threats. • Some of these fall into the following categories: • Biological • Environmental • Military • Other Nightmare “Gray Goo” scenario cells in a petri dish

10. Threats - Biological • The advent of nanotechnology allows for new control over our own biology. • “Nanomeds” have greatly untested side effects. It is unknown what kinds of alternate problems could be created by altering DNA, cells, and our own biological beings. “Nanobot” with a red blood cell

11. Threats – To the environment and other species • CFCs were first developed as safer alternatives to ammonia. • When nanotubes, hailed as the harbinger of nanotech, were injected into rats, 15% of them died quickly. “The highest death rate we had ever seen”. Hole in the ozone layer Lab rats

12. Threats – Military • Nanotechnology is being explored for potential military applications. • It is cheap, easy to reproduce, and possibly remarkably useful in both armor and weapons. Is there any doubt our enemies would exploit nanotechnology against civilization were they able to? Kim Jong Il – Leader of N. Korea

13. Threats – Other • Nanoassemblers • The “Holy Grail of Nanotechnology” • Self-copying nanobots • “The perfect plague” Artist rendering of nanoassemblers

14. What do we do? • Peaceful Uses Treaty – based on Space treaties • Ethical guidelines for working in nanotechnology • Close monitoring and coordination of all nanotech research for potential hazards • Extensive testing for potential ill effects of all new nanotechnology products

15. Summary • Nanotechnology is an exciting field. However, many of its uses and abuses are unknown. • Some foresight today in curbing potential dangers could prevent huge potential disasters in all areas of life. • The recommended policy changes will have minimal impact on scientific research and will have a great positive impact on people’s lives.