Engineered Nanoparticles: A Cause for Responsible Innovation Essay

The field of Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of infinitesimally small matter. The National Nanotechnology Initiative defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers. By employing nanotechnology and its opportunity for miniaturisation in the development of consumer products, we have placed ourselves on a paradigm changing technology path permitting considerable efficiency savings in terms of cost, energy and resources. These developments would surely have not been possible without the avail of nanotechnological processes. Accordingly, the field of nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding and major innovative force amongst the scientific community, and the increasing incorporation of engineered nanoparticles into consumer products has presented very real health and environmental risks. A growing public debate has arisen weighing the societal induced benefits against the potentially adverse ecotoxicological effects this technology may impose upon humans as well as the surrounding environment. Unfortunately, there remains significant scientific uncertainty regarding the behaviour of nanoparticles. This report attempts to address the possible hazards associated with the eventual release of engineered nanoparticles into the environment and the associated adverse health effects these hazards may introduce whilst simultaneously calling for sovereign reform in the commercialization of these products and increased