Comments on: Tiny Troubles: Nanoparticles are Changing Everything From our Sunscreen to our Supplements http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2009/11/05/tiny-troubles-nanoparticles-are-changing-everything-from-our-sunscreen-to-our-supplements/ Media Democracy in Action Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:36:55 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: John Reimann http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2009/11/05/tiny-troubles-nanoparticles-are-changing-everything-from-our-sunscreen-to-our-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-415 John Reimann Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:45:47 +0000 http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/?p=360#comment-415 Chris writes: "the potential that lie in these tiny little materials is exponential compared to the possible harm they may cause." But how does he know this? If the statistics on research money is to be believed, then the potential risks are unknown. The article compares nano technology to asbestos, but asbestos isn't the only example. Remember DDT? And the main point is that this is not just some new chemical - from what I understand this is more or less a new molecular structure. I am not opposed to nano-technology, but it does seem to me that the risks should be adequately explored. Chris writes: “the potential that lie in these tiny little materials is exponential compared to the possible harm they may cause.” But how does he know this? If the statistics on research money is to be believed, then the potential risks are unknown. The article compares nano technology to asbestos, but asbestos isn’t the only example. Remember DDT? And the main point is that this is not just some new chemical – from what I understand this is more or less a new molecular structure. I am not opposed to nano-technology, but it does seem to me that the risks should be adequately explored.

]]> By: Joe http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2009/11/05/tiny-troubles-nanoparticles-are-changing-everything-from-our-sunscreen-to-our-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-414 Joe Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:12:58 +0000 http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/?p=360#comment-414 Chris - Yes there are benefits to most technologies however I would argue that the risks are at least equal or greater than the benefits in this case. You assume that all people, governments and scientist operate under the same moral code. Morality aside mistakes happen with unintended effects. This is evolutionary technology and that is the concern. Take a minute to read this old essay by Bill Joy (Sun Micro Founder and really smart guy) and you may change your view. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html Chris –

Yes there are benefits to most technologies however I would argue that the risks are at least equal or greater than the benefits in this case. You assume that all people, governments and scientist operate under the same moral code. Morality aside mistakes happen with unintended effects. This is evolutionary technology and that is the concern. Take a minute to read this old essay by Bill Joy (Sun Micro Founder and really smart guy) and you may change your view.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html

]]> By: Chris Kostashuk http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2009/11/05/tiny-troubles-nanoparticles-are-changing-everything-from-our-sunscreen-to-our-supplements/comment-page-1/#comment-412 Chris Kostashuk Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:15:14 +0000 http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/?p=360#comment-412 Hi, While I can appreciate your concern I'm close friends with a PHD student whose work revolves around the applications of nanotechnology. With every new endeavour we are going to find new risks. However, the potential that lie in these tiny little materials is exponential compared to the possible harm they may cause. I recommend looking into the research that is being done with them in regards to solar energy, medicine, robotics, and materials engineering. This is truly evolutionary technology. -Chris Hi,

While I can appreciate your concern I’m close friends with a PHD student whose work revolves around the applications of nanotechnology. With every new endeavour we are going to find new risks. However, the potential that lie in these tiny little materials is exponential compared to the possible harm they may cause. I recommend looking into the research that is being done with them in regards to solar energy, medicine, robotics, and materials engineering. This is truly evolutionary technology.

-Chris

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