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Technology
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2006-09-23 02:45:27-04
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Nanotechnology a future friend or potential foe
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Melbourne, Sept 22(ANI): The potential applications of nanotechnology are limitless, but experts warn that these getting into the wrong hands could be scary. Mike Treder from the think tank, Centre for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN) in New York claims that within 15 years, desktop nanofactories could pump out anything ranging from a new car to a sophisticated nanoweapon. He warns that though the technology could help solve problems like world poverty, it could at the same time wreak economic and social chaos. He says the society needs to start preparing for this brave new world. "It's the biggest challenge we've ever faced as a species," ABC quoted Treder as telling a gathering of Australian scientists. CNR is a non-profit organisation which aims to raise awareness about the benefits and dangers of molecular manufacturing, the precise assembly of products atom-by-atom. Treder says that researchers are currently working on building molecular-scale machines that could eventually move atoms around to make consumer products like cups and chairs to cars and house bricks. He says that in less than 15 years raw materials like carbon would be used in the nanofactory, where atoms would be rearranged to make products according to programs downloaded from the internet. He warns that that though such desktop nanofactories could eliminate poverty and starvation in developing nations, and provide tremendous medical benefits, society needs to guard against its potential risks. Treder says that CRN is concerned that these desktop nanofactories would lead to a nano "arms race" in which hard-to-detect nanoweapons could be designed, manufactured and tested much quicker than they are today. "Imagine a suitcase filled with billions of toxin-carrying flying robots that could be released anywhere to target a population. You could make a suitcase full of these things overnight for a few dollars," he said. The mass production of consumer goods by private desktop factories could also trigger social chaos due to economic disruption, says Treder. "If I can make my own car at home for a couple of hundred dollars with a design downloaded from the internet that means I'm not a customer of the auto dealer down the road." Waste from such easy manufacturing, or nanolitter, is another issue that needs to be thought about, he says. "If someone could send you a product online that you don't want but they just make it pump out of your nanofactory, how are we going to prevent that?" All theses argument raises the question of whether nanotechnology will be building a better future or destroying the world.
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