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Microscopic Ethics By: Matthew Sparks Microscopic Ethics Nowadays, most anyone can pick up their cell phone and access phone calls, text messages, and even the internet. Also, laptops and notebooks are designed to be smaller and more efficient. Technology over the years has increasingly become smaller and faster, and does not seem to be slowing down. The processing power of laptops and cell phones seems to increase doubly every few months, while the size of the devices and the processors themselves are continually decreasing in size. With this trend of increased processing and decreasing size, technology has begun to go through extreme new advances, especially in the medical fields. Machines such as lasers, surgical tools, and x-ray machines have drastically gotten smaller along with the rest of technology. The medical fields are also taking a turn for smaller and more powerful technologies. One of the major contenders within this field is the use of nanotechnology, primarily in the use of nanobots or nanotransistors to be used in our everyday medical and surgical practices. Though the use of these mediums in medicine could very well help improve human life, rid humans of some diseases, or even help the longevity of life, there are many other deleterious effects that could come from the technology; such as certain technologies “falling into the wrong hands”, the idea of “playing God” with human genetics and biology, and the increases in power (both mental and physical) that could be attained. Nanotechnology today is considered by many as just tiny machines used in technology. It has also been stereotyped in many science fiction movies and television shows, such as in Star Trek where a machine can replicate food and drink using any molecular materials present. Also, many movies and television shows have shown cyborgs, or human beings that have been “upgraded” by nanomachines to be able to have increased strength, intelligence, mechanical organs, or immune systems. The idea of nanotechnology was first brought forth in 1959 by Richard P. Feynman, who stated that we could manipulate things as small as atoms and molecules; we just do not have the ability to do so yet (Lenhert, 2002). While many of these ideas for the uses of nanotechnology are far off into the future, the basic concept of the machines are very like the conceptualizations many people and scientists have for the technology. Therefore, the most recognized definition, by Robert A. Freitas Jr. in his book Nanomedicine Volume I: Basic Capabilities (1999), “(1) The comprehensive monitoring, control, construction, repair, defense, and improvement of all human biological systems, working from the molecular level, using engineered nanodevices and nanostructures; (2) The science and technology of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and traumatic injury, of relieving pain, and of preserving and improving human health, using molecular tools and molecular knowledge of the human body; (3) The employment of molecular machine systems to address medical problems, using molecular knowledge to maintain and improve human health at the molecular scale.” This definition shows that many of the ideas proposed by the shows and movies watched everywhere today, could actually be a construct of the future. This technology is to work on a purely molecular level, almost like the big machines we have in the world today, only operating on things so small that it is almost impossible for someone to realistically do today. This includes many surgical operations, repairs of organs and tissue, or even solving genetic issues in some people. The scale on which these machines work is in one “nano”, which is one billionth of a meter (Davidson, 2005). This would allow thousands, if not millions, of these nanobots to be inserted into someone’s bloodstream or body as easily as with a regular syringe. Once inside the body, the nanobots would have their instructions as to where to go and what to do, whether it is destroying a virus or bacteria, repairing tissue, or any other medicinal issue the patient may have. Outside of the body, the nanobots can also be used as very small “builders”, actually constructing materials out of atoms or molecules, and/or rearranging these atoms or molecules into a desired product. So far, humans have recognized the ideas of nanotechnology as very viable, and have already started to implement these ideas into working models. For the medical community, nanotechnology could be a major breakthrough for the field. These machines could help eradicate the need for such heavy and bulky machines to treat various illnesses, as well as possibly eliminate or help diagnose other illnesses much more quickly. Within drugs and pharmaceuticals, nanorobots could be used to deliver drugs more quickly and efficiently, while targeting the areas that need to be targeted. In one such scenario, a nanorobot that would act as a white blood cell could be introduced into the bloodstream, effectively killing off bacteria and viruses. Since these “white blood cells” are machines and have no genetic code, the bacteria or virus could not develop any kind of immunity to it, causing the nanobots to be able to eradicate a sickness efficiently. The diagnostic capabilities of medicine would also be greatly enhanced with the use of nanobots. These robots could be introduced into the body and take measurements, or even pictures with nanocameras. This data would then be transmitted back to software with the ability to compile the information to help doctors be better informed about what is going on with the patient, from the inside. These, in turn, could work with other nanobots, finding out what is exactly wrong with a patient and actively starting a healing process. On another hand, they could gather enough information to let the doctors know what nanobot “drug” to administer to treat the affliction. Many practical solutions to invasive surgery are also found with the use of nanobots. Already, the medical fields have found ways to decrease the chances of permanent damage and scarring in surgeries with the use of lasers. But if nanobots were implemented, they could repair the damaged tissue or organ from within the body. After being injected into or near the site, the nanobots would find the afflicted area and be able to heal or repair it without a surgeon ever actually having to touch the patient. This would dramatically decrease the danger in any medical procedure, either invasive or not. Another popular idea related to nanotechnology and medicine is gene therapy. Using nanobots, one could effectively go inside of living cells and exchange or destroy genes with abnormal or deleterious properties. This could reduce many genetic diseases and even obliterate many fatal abnormalities. Another idea, one straight from science fiction, would be the ability to augment one’s own genes to genetically enhance the human body. This could make someone stronger, faster, smarter, or have any other ability enhanced by the nanotechnology. This transition from human, to an individual with increased abilities due to genetic enhancements is called transhumanism. Transhumans therefore, could have incredible healing abilities, along with living much more lengthy lives than any average human today. With all of the great sounding advancements that could come from nanotechnology, there are still some serious drawbacks that could occur from their use. Since this is still a newer technology and science, there has yet to be much work involving these drawbacks, which could lead to dire consequences. “So far, there has no extensive knowledge whether or not nanobots could be toxic to the human body. Some doctors worry that the nanoparticles are so small, that they could easily cross the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that protects the brain from harmful chemicals in the bloodstream (Bronsor, & Strickland, 2007).” The nanoparticles that make up the nanorobots are so incredibly small, the membranes that make up most of the human body may be passed through; which could lead to problems if one type of nanobot does not need to enter certain sites of the body. Along with toxic effects, many have discussed the idea of having self-replicating nanobots. While these nanobots could enter the body and multiply to have as many needed to control or cure a certain disease, they could also malfunction and begin to replicate without stop. Essentially, this would make the nanobots out to be a type of virus, spreading rapidly and “infecting” a person or organism until that organism could no longer function correctly. This could also lead to a catastrophe called the “gray goo scenario”, in which self-replicating nanobots grow out of control and effectively destroy or even “devour” a landscape, or even a person (Davidson, 2005). The malfunctioning nanobots would replicate out of control until they were somehow shut down, and in the meantime, would be able to destroy almost anything, depending on their actions and the number of them replicated. Also, gene therapy, while sounding like a great new cure for many genetic disorders, could also turn in the wrong direction. While being able to treat and cure diseases, gene therapy used as an aid to “better” one’s body brings up many other issues as well. Parents could actually “design” their children in a matter of meaning, giving them their genetic abilities before they are even born. This could cause many problems in the life of the child, which the child had no decision in making. Using the nanobots to make one a transhuman could also have extremely bad foundations, such as, governments beginning to engineer their own types of “super-soldiers”, as well as bio-terroristic weaponry. The soldiers could be enhanced to withstand much more punishment in the battlefield, making wars far worse with no one ever backing down. The bioweapons that could also be produced could be a fatal development on a huge scale. A weapon filled with toxic nanoparticles could be released into an area and end up killing an entire population, all wildlife and plants, or even both. As of now, there is still much debate over which areas of nanotechnology are ethical or not. The use of nanomachines in medicine has not been tested very much as of yet. This leads to almost too little information to be able to tell patients about the benefits and risks of their use. Since the toxic effects are not yet known, and the long term effects have yet to be measured, doctors are unable to effectively tell patients whether or not treatment with nanobots would be safe or not. Also, the use of the nanobots in diagnostic medicine brings up many issues. For instance, how much and exactly what information could certain nanobots collect and transmit to the doctors? And would this information be collected and stored or only sent when needed? The length of time these nanobots could stay in the patient’s body is also a concern. As far as surgical use, or organ replacement or treatment, the issue of monetary cost arises. These types of noninvasive procedures would be very costly, so would only the well-off people in society be able to afford them, also causing them, in effect, to become superior to those less fortunate? The idea of gene therapy also rises, in genetic altering of the human body and functions. This is sometimes looked at as “playing God” (Berger, 2008). Many say we should not play with genetics, and that should only be left to God to handle. However, with prospects of eliminating genetic diseases and having more healthy children, it’s hard to say whether or not gene therapy could be beneficial. Parents being able to alter their children’s DNA is another closely related issue. Parents that do alter their child’s DNA are also choosing that the DNA of their grandchildren is essentially altered. So if their children would want to have a child with no genetic altered abilities, the genes they would pass on would have already been altered, which would not have been their choice in the first place. The idea of self-replicating nanobots, in any scenario, is one that has also had much attention. This idea though, has not had much enthusiasm, making it seem to not be very useful. Although the idea of self-replication can show benefits, many see this as a more destructive technological advancement than anything. On the other hand, it would be much more cost effective to have the self-replicating machines, so that only one or two would have to be produced to initially replicate many thousand more for use. One area in particular that seems to have a very heated debate is the idea of transhumanism. Ideally, it seems that using this technology to biomechanically or biogenetically enhance one’s own body is a great step toward evolution. As many have seen in present day science fiction, super human strength or speed, or rapid healing seem to be like great ideas for any human and could possibly make the world a better and safer place. However, the possibility of this technology going the wrong way is a very insistent problem. Governments creating nanoweapons and super-soldiers could have massive consequences to the world and life as we know it. Transhumanism could also lead to humans having much longer life spans, which in turn seems like a good idea, but eventually will lead to mass overpopulation. There is also the idea that if transhumanism spread correctly, that the world would end up in a world of peace. This does not seem very feasible either; people with more power than others will more than likely try to suppress the people that cannot turn to transhumanism, either because of personal views or monetary standing. This too brings up the thought of humans having what many would call “God-like” powers. It is argued that humans are made the way they are, perfect in the eyes of God and need not be changed in any way. However, the prospects of eliminating disease seem like a great idea, many think that altering the human body biomechanically is not ethical in any way. Though the obvious benefits of various implants one could attain, they would be changing themselves into something that is not necessarily human, and this seems entirely unethical to very many people. As a result of the arguments pertaining to the ethics of nanotechnology, research has currently slowed. While still being funded by many government associations, many people believe that much more research is needed before any more actual field implementation could begin (Davidson, 2005). So far, there is a big push from many scientists into the technology in and behind nanotechnology, and still more possible applications are being thought of and tested day to day. However, with all the negative results that have come from these ideas, it may still be awhile before any actual applications of the technology are in full use in any field, especially the medical field. Bibliography Berger, M. (2008, January 9). Ethical aspects of nanotechnology in medicine. Retrieved from http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=3938.php Bonsor, K., & Strickland, J. (2007). Nanotechnology challenges, risks and ethics. How Nanotechnology Works, Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology5.htm Davidson, Keay. (2005). Big troubles may lurk in super-tiny tech / nanotechnology experts say legal, ethical issues loom. Chronicle Science Writer, Retrieved from http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-1031/news/17396870_1_foresight-nanotech-institute-nanotechnology-industry-nanomaterials Freitas Jr., R. A. (1999). Nanomedicine, volume i: basic capabilities. Retrieved from http://www.nanomedicine.com/NMI.htm Keating, E. L. (1999). A brief history of nanotechnology. Unpublished raw data, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX. Retrieved from http://www.utexas.edu/cola/progs/sts/the-nano-future/science/a-brief-history-ofnanotechnology.php Lenhert, S. (2002). A brief history of nanotechnology. 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