Nanotechnology is a part of science and technology about the control of matter on the

atomic and molecular scale - this means things that are about 100 nanometres across. In the field

of Bioengineering, it transforms basic science into novel materials, devices and processes for

improved sustainability and health. Its applications are as diverse as sustainable energy,

regenerative medicine, biomedical imaging, drug and vaccine delivery, and personalised

medicine.

Nanotechnology has several benefits, in the aspects of medicine - it can make surgeries

faster and more accurate and nanobots can perform surgeries that are too risky. It is also used to

refine drug production, tailoring drugs at a molecular level to make them more effective and

reduce side effects. In terms of energy, through nanotechnology, solar panel will be more

efficient and affordable. In manufacturing industry, nanobots and more advanced machineries

can also be used to replace manpower and to construct novel products and materials. Lastly, in

the field of Computer Engineering, artificial technology has been widely used and being

improved today and electronics is set to be revolutionized by nanotechnology. Silicon chips can

already contain millions of components, but the technology is reaching its limit; at a certain

point, circuits become so small that if a molecule is out of place the circuit won't work properly.

Nanotechnology will allow circuits to be constructed very accurately on an atomic level to

prevent malfunctioning. Furthermore, human will soon merge with machines, leading to the

consciousness into computers with vast computational capacity, and that swarms of micro- and

nanomachines, such as the “Utility Fog,” will lead to smart environments that can change

instantly. Using this utility fog, creation, levitation, manipulation and teleportation can be

performed easily.
 However, despite all of the advantages of Nanotechnology, it still has downfall and

disadvantages, not only that, it also involves ethical issues. We do know that nanotechnology

modify and change human beings especially if they have illness and require treatment, it controls

different parts of our body such as the brain, heart and like. With this, many researches are

against the use and implementation of this kind of technology. As Freitas points out, "on a long

term perspective nanotechnology envisages not only the creation of autonomous nanomachines

to be used inside the human body but the enhancement and even transformation of the human

body and human identity particularly in case they were used to modify the human brain." It

changes even the genetic material of human. Additionally, because nanoparticles are created to

be more durable than existing materials, it begs the question of how long they will persist in

landfills; this is where environmental problems occur.

It is like an editing feature in Photoshop or other photo editor where you can actually

have options to choose from and to where you can modify things to make it better and appealing.

Nanotechnology offer this kind of feature as well in the field of Cosmeceutical, this involves

treatments for conditions such as photo-aging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and hair damage

which are the concern of most women. However, increased use of nanotechnology in

Cosmeceuticals has raised concern about the possible penetration of nanoparticles through the

skin and potential hazards to the human health. Nanoparticles being applied to the skin can have

toxic effects if reaching to bloodstream. Researchers found out that when nanoparticles were

administered to pregnant mice, it transfers to the offspring and targeted his body resulting to

brain damage and reduced sperm-cell production for male offspring. In addition, if nanoparticles

are inhaled or absorbed through skin, which is likely to happen in this field of Cosmeceutical,

they could cause skin and lung damage and organ toxicity or can harm unborn children
 For some, they believe that it threatens humanity with extinction. One view to represent

this statement is Bill Joy, as per the cited essay in Wired magazine, “Why the Future Doesn’t

Need Us,” Joy warns against the potential catastrophe that could result from the convergence of

nanotechnology, genetics, and information science (Joy, 2000). He mentioned that because of

nanotechnology, “gray goo” problem in Earth might occur. “Gray goo” is a hypothetical end of

human existence scenario that involving nanotechnology. Only self-replicating robots and

nanobots will exist and consume all the biomass on Earth to create more of them. In such

consumption of these uncontrollably nanobots, the environment will be devastated that it can no

longer offer anything for people for their basic needs leading to their extinction.

Increased use of nanotechnology means increased number of workers who are being

exposed to nanotechnology. Ingestion and inhalation of nanoparticles are the most commonly

contact among workers. They may inhale these particles causing them to damage their

respiratory system. More possible adverse effects include the development of fibrosis and other

pulmonary effects after short-term exposure to carbon nanotubes, access to the nervous system.

the translocation of nanoparticles to the brain via the olfactory nerve, the ability of nanoparticles

to translocate into the circulation, and the potential for nanoparticles to activate platelets and

enhance vascular thrombosis (formation of blood cloth preventing blood to flow normally). It is

invalid and injustice to say that workers decision to continue working with this kind of industry

where their lives are at risk is at their own hands, it is their decision and they can always leave

the job if they find it uncomfortable. This is not the point. Societal goal is to provide a safe and

healthful workplace for all workers. It’s the management or the industry responsibility to take

care of their workers.

 From the above mentioned ethical issues, there are laws that should prevent harmful

products from ever reaching the marketplace. These are the following: (a) The Toxic Substance

Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 which provides Environmental Protection Agency with authority to

require reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical

substances and/or mixture; (b) The Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHAct) of 1970 which

encourage safer workplace conditions in the United States and to set standards and perform

inspections at job sites; (c) The Republict Act No. 3720 of 1963 also known as the Food, Drug

and Cosmetic Act in the Philippines that ensure the safety and purity of foods, drugs, medical devices

and cosmetics being made available to the public by creating the food and drug administration which shall

administer and enforce the laws pertaining thereto; and (d) The Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999

that states that the nation shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and

healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

As an individual, all I can say about this developing technology is that nanotechnology

should still be improved. At first, before doing further research about nanotechnology, I am

really impressed of the things and services that it can perform, I wish many people will have the

access to it to maintain their lives and to cure the sick and to make impossible things to be

possible. However, after doing the research, I was like “Wait, is this really the nanotechnology

that I’ve been praising?”

I was surprised to know that there are a lot of ethical issues concerning nanotechnology.

Yes, we can’t deny the fact that it has so many advantages and it is the ideal development that

the world can adapt but still, it needed to be revised and to be more improved. It’s fine with me

those that are involved with “gray goo” problem and other environmental problems because I

think the problem is not the nanotechnology, it is the people who use and abuse it. Human
extinction will just happen if we let it happen that is why certain limitation and boundaries

should be applied in using nanotechnology. If we are to completely stop and prohibit the use of

nanotechnology specifically in medical field, how can it save life? However, when I found out

that workers being exposed to nanoparticles have high health risk, I come up with this

realization. I realize that nanotechnology prolongs the life of the people who are sick, it can

actually save and cure them (such as cancer patients etc.) but it gradually put an end to the

workers’ life. It saddened me to know this fact, there are people who are treated and there are

more people who suffered because of nanotechnology. Of course there are no such things as

perfect, everything has flaws and imperfection but if we dig deeper, this kind of flaws of

nanotechnology in unacceptable because it involves life and death.

To sum it all up, nanotechnology for me is a good progress and an indicator that the

technology is becoming more advanced as time goes by. However I believe, as time goes by

again, this nanotechnology will be the perfect and will no longer put risk on someone’s life.

Remember that technology should aim for the betterment of everyone not only one, but it’s fine

if not everyone will benefit, as long as it won’t harm even one of them.
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http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-nanotechnology-37398.html.

Accessed 02 October 2019

Hall, J. S. (2015). Utility Fog. Retrieved October 2, 2019, from https://www.nanotech-

now.com/utility-fog.htm. Accessed 02 October 2019

Khushf, G. (2004). The Ethics of Nanotechnology Vision and Values for A New Generation of

Science And Engineering. Emerging Technologies and Ethical Issues in Engineering:

Papers from a Workshop , 29–56. Retrieved from

https://www.nap.edu/read/11083/chapter/4#30

Lin, P. (2007). Nanotechnology Bound: Evaluating the Case for More Regulation. NanoEthics:

Ethics for Technologies That Converge at the Nanoscale, 2, 105–122. doi:

10.1007/s11569-007-0012-9 Retrieved from

http://ethics.calpoly.edu/nanoethics/paper_nanoreg.html

Lohani, A., et al., (2014). Nanotechnology-Based Cosmeceuticals. International Scholarly

Research Notices. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/843687 Retrieved from

hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2014/843687/

Schulte, P., & Buentello, F. (2006). Ethical and Scientific Issues of Nanotechnology in the

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