Medical Dangers: Big fears about nanotechnology medicare.

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Big fears about science of the tinyBy Clive Cookson Published: January 27 2006 02:00 | Last updated: January 27 2006 02:00 Science-fiction fears about nanotechnology - "grey goo" or "killer dust" taking over the world as molecular machines replicate out of control - are receding. But more down-to-earth concerns about toxicity of man-made nanoparticles are intensifying, as nanotechnology stands on the brink of large-scale commercialisation. The special

features of nanoparticles, which make them so useful in applications from cosmetics to cancer research, could make them a hazard to human health, safety and the environment. As a result, there are increasingly urgent calls for regulation and research into nanotechnology. The latest came this month in a report from the Woodrow Wilson International Centre, an influential Washington think-tank, which said more aggressive oversight and new resources were needed to protect the public. Terry Davies, lead author of the Wilson Centre study, says there is a danger of nanotechnology losing public confidence, and the examples of nuclear power and agricultural biotechnology show how damaging that can be. "The existing structure is not providing effective oversight, although we already have more than 60 consumer products and several hundred commercial applications of nanotech out there," Mr Davies says. Early applications range from ultrastrong composites to additives in

fuel, medical implants and sun creams. Safety concerns focus on products such as cosmetics that contain "free" nanoparticles rather than those with bound nanostructures, such as tennis-racket frames. The Wilson Centre's report follows a hearing in November of the US House of Representatives science committee. Speakers from industry, campaign groups and the academic world called for more research into nano­tech's effects. "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.

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