The Ethics of Nanotechnology Essay -- Nanotechnology Science Research

The Ethics of NanotechnologyIntroductionImagine a world in which cars can be assembled molecule-by-molecule, garbage can be disassembled and moody into beef steaks, and people can be operated on and healed by cell-sized robots. Sound like science fiction? Well, with current semiconductor chip manufacturing move on upon the nanometer scale and the ability to move individual atoms at the IBM Almaden laboratory, we are fast approaching the technological ability to fabricate productive machines and devices that can ascertain things at the atomic level. From this ability we will be able to develop molecular-sized computers and robots, which would give us unprecedented control over matter and the ability to skeletal frame the physical world as we see fit. Some may see it as pure fantasy, but others speculate that it is an inevitability that will be the tooth root of the next technological revolution. Laboratories, such as the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility (SNF), have already been researching nanofabrication techniques with applications in fiber optics, biotechnology, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and wide variety of other research fields applicable to todays technology. MEMS, tiny mechanical devices such as sensors, valves, gears, mirrors, and actuators embedded in semiconductor chips, are particularly interesting because they are but a mere dance step away from the molecular machines envisioned by nanotechnology. MEMS are already being used in automobile airbag systems as accelerometers to detect collisions and will become an increase part of our everyday technology.In 1986, a researcher from MIT named K. Eric Drexler already foresaw the advent of molecular machines and published a book, Engines of Creation, in ... ...searchers in this field put unitedly an ethical set of guidelines (e.g. Molecular Nanotechnology Guidelines) and follow them, then we should be able to develop nanotechnology safely while still reaping its promised benefits.Refere ncesDrexler, K. Eric Engines of Creation.New York Anchor Books, 1986.Drexler, K. Eric Unbounding the Future.New York Quill, 1991.Feynman, Richard P. Theres quid of Room at the Bottom.03 March 2002.http//www.zyvex.com/nanotech/feynman.htmlThe Foresight Institute.03 March 2002.http//www.foresight.org/Institute for Molecular Manufacturing.03 March 2002.IMM.orgNational Nanotechnology Initiative.03 March 2002.http//www.nano.gov/Thibodeau, Patrick. Nanotech, IT research given boost in bush budget.03 March 2002. (April 11, 2001)CNN.comDefinitions.03 March 2002.Whatis.com