Dangers of Nanotechnology (Essay Sample)

Nanotechnology
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Introduction
Over the last several decades technology has changed the way most aspects of engineering and molecular sciencehave advanced. It refers to the technology of manipulating material at the molecular level. This is one of the areas that researchers has spent massive time and money trying to develop technology that take advantage of existing elements and compounds at the atomic level(Crnano.org, 2008). Unlike the most common properties that are associated with the basic elements in nature, the particles at this size behave differently. This makes it very interesting for the scientists, as the particle provide a different way of understanding matter and all of its properties. When carbon is considered under normal circumstances it is not dangerous, but when considered under the Nano-level of particles, the graphite particle can be dangerous(Rense.com, n.d.). These are the findings according to a research carried out by Richard Smalley from Rice University. According to similar findings, as particle become smaller, they also become more reactive, given their increased surface area to the volume ratio.Research has also found that a normal nail made of pure iron, will not burn when exposed to the air. However, when the nail is ground to very fine dust, the dust tends to ignite when exposed to the air(wiseGEEK, 2014). This means that while there are advantages to discovering and using nanotechnology in the daily activities of manufacturing and development, there is also a downside which can turn the technology and it applications into catastrophic inventions as they react with the human body or the environment.
Traditional Categories of Proof
Pathos
It is very sad that a technology which has been found to have negative impact on the fish and human can be advocated for as the next technological break through. At the moment, the environment sustainability mechanisms are already stressed by the little number of technological advancement that comes up since the industrialization age(Rense.com, n.d.). Bringing more technology on board especially one that has already been determined to have threatening impacts on human life and the environment could be detrimental. In the recent decades, the world has experienced some of the most violent and catastrophic natural disasters, all of which are tied to the technological advances that man has had over time(Crnano.org, 2008). Most of the materials and the elements that are responsible for the public health complications and environmental degradations are well understood and documented. With the nanoparticles, their reactions have been found to be different from what common. In one of the examples shown above, carbon has been found to be dangerous at the nanoscale, while it is inert in its normal state. This means that the world could be subjected to unprecedenteddangers, without the proper capabilities to handle them.
Ethos
Nanotechnology is bound to have very significant negative impacts on the health humans and other living organisms in the ecosystem. In one of the research conducted in Southern Methodist UniversityTexas, by an environmental toxicologist called Eva Oberdörster; nanoparticles taken in by the fish had some very detrimental effects on their brain(wiseGEEK, 2014). According to the research report the nanoparticle damaged the brain of the fish, after they were exposed to moderate level of nanoparticle at 0.5 parts per million. The fish developed symptoms of brain damage after they were exposed for 48 hours.Considering the level of toxins that is common in the sea environment, this figures could go higher with increased use of the nanoparticle. The effect on the fish and therefore the human population among other living things could be catastrophic(Rense.com, n.d.). Other than the brain damage caused by the nanoparticle in the fish, some of them showed signs of genetic changes, which could spell doom for the fish species and those that consume them, such as the humans.
Logos
Logically, there are damages that cannon be foreseen at the moment. However, those that have been established this far, can be catastrophic. When asbestos was first used, it was very crucialand used in virtually many areas. When tested chemically, asbestos was found to be inert and thus the wide use. However, it later emerged that the fine dust from the material was carcinogenic, which was discovered after thousands of people died(wiseGEEK, 2014). Nano particle have been found to affect the genetic makeup of the fish, at this rate the undiscovered effects could be catastrophic. Other than health and environment, there are other threats posed by terrorism.Without proper regulations all of these threats pose great danger to the very existence of the world.
Toulmin Model of Argumentation
Although nanotechnology poses some great potential in more than the fields of technology and engineering, if it is use is not moderated and monitored, the negative effects could take centuries to manage(Crnano.org, 2008).Research indicates that carbon is fairly nonhazardous in its elemental form. However, nanotubes and fullerenes which are nanoparticle of carbon have been found to be hazardous to the human health. These particles are mainly made of the graphite which makes up carbon. This element which is one form of carbon is also fairly inert, however when it takes the form of nanoparticles it proves lethal. Basically this due to the fact that the particles have increased surface area to volume ratio and thus their reaction to basic chemicals is amplified and sometimes distorted(Changingminds.org, 2014).
When nanoparticle were introduced to fish for 48 hours at the Southern Methodist University, they were found to damage their brain. In addition to brain damage they were found to alter the DNA sequences of the fish. Fullerenes have also been found to move through the food chain much like the heavy metals do and end up accumulating the human, anima and plants bodies. Nano technology has also been widely applied in the manufacture of weapons(wiseGEEK, 2014).
Within the current effects on public health and the environment, aspects such as terrorism would complicate the matters further and thus the need for monitoring and stringent regulation. Nanotechnology is already in use in some of the major industries, but the control mechanisms are poorly documented. In light of the health and...