Do you have questions about nanotechnology?
Most people do. In a recent paper published by Jennifer Kuzma and colleagues Paradise, Wolf, Ramachandran, Kokkoli and Hall, they address rising concerns about the need for regulation of nanotechnologies.
Their paper “Developing Oversight Frameworks for Nanobiotechnology” discusses the need for a regulatory system, especially because “over 500 products advertised as nanotechnology-based consumer products have already hit the market” and that number will only grow since nanobiotechnology can be used to improve a wide variety of sectors from agriculture and medicine to robotics.
But why do we need a new regulatory system? Don’t we already have structures for measuring chemical toxicity and drug safety etc? As Jennifer Kuzma and colleagues explain, nanobiotechnology does not fit nicely into current framework. For example, the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) regulates all “new chemicals” but take carbon nanotubes labeled as synthetic graphite. I do not know about you, but I am usually not concerned with graphite. However, as a carbon nanotube this chemical has a much higher toxicity level, “many nanochemicals are variations of chemicals listed in TSCA Inventory, although at a much smaller size and often with different properties and characteristics.”
The slight differences in nanotechnologys in comparison to other technologies span most fields. Other agencies like the FDA, OSHA, or the USDA have tried to adjust…kinda…The EPA started a voluntary regulatory program and “the city of Berkeley, California has passed a nanotechnology-specific ordinance regarding mandatory reporting procedures”
Kuzma and her colleagues believe that “a coordinated framework among key government agencies” is needed. Currently the hodgepodge of ideas has not resulted in an encompassing system of regulation. While each sector has its own needs, a structure is none the less needed
But maybe the most pressing reason for new oversight framework is the public. As mentioned in this paper the public has very little knowledge about nanotechnology and it applications. My 12 year old sister asked me if nanoparticle could accidently take over your mind. While at that age she is not yet been heavily exposed to biological science, she has the bass knowledge to know that nanotechnology can change things, and maybe not always for the best. While nanotechnology can bring our society many benefits a few mistakes that the media gets wind of could create quite a problem for scientists that all of a sudden have to cope with public outcries against their work. Well maybe that will never happen, but just so it doesn’t, shouldn’t we at least try to “assure public confidence and safety”
They also say debate is needed, so what do you think? And if you are interested in this topic, talk to Jennifer Kuzma about her paper. I was just going to skim it, but I read it word for word.
