Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

Today’s Big Question: Yes or No to Nanotechnology?

The 2011 Hollywood science fiction thriller, Limitless, chronicles the life of Eddie Mora, Commented [DS1]: I italicized this.

a struggling, lethargic, unmotivated author who also happens to be suffering from the most

common writer’s disease, writer’s block. In fact, his condition is so bad that even his girlfriend,

Lindy, who has somehow been able to put up with his lack of progress for several years, finally

decides to take the plunge to end her relationship with him. On one eventful day, Mora meets a

supplier, who incidentally happens to be his ex-brother-in-law. That respective supplier hooks

him up with a black-market miracle drug or a nootropic, which somehow, later has a beneficial

impact on not only his social life, but also on the work front too. Nootropics are basically smart

drugs that have similar effects to the mind which nanotechnology powered drugs also have on

the mind. Examples of certain areas in the brain which nootropics can improve, are those that

deal with managing cognitive functions, particularly the executive functions such as memory,

creativity, and motivation in average healthy individuals. Once Mora intakes the drug, his life Commented [DS2]: Added more information on the
effects these drugs have on the brain.
ultimately transforms for the better. For instance, not only does Mora’s book which went through

a long gestation finally get published, but he also starts running for the Senate, manages to

become wealthy due to large returns from repeated investments in the stock market, and even

gets his old girlfriend back in the process. However, the drug also happens to be illegal, and this

plays an adverse impact with Mora when it comes to ethics, as it was illegally manufactured.

When viewing this story, one can imagine how impactful a nanotechnology powered drug can be

to an everyday unemployed youth’s life. Limitless was apparently based on a 2001 novel, The

Dark Fields, which was apparently conceived from the information Alan Glynn (the author of

The Dark Fields) had possessed when he researched information on the increase in performance-
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

enhancing drug usage for sports in the 1990’s. Coming back to the film, after witnessing the

series of ethical roadblocks the character went through, my mind started to question the

reliability of these intelligence-inducing drugs. Commented [DS3]: I combined the previously

separate simple sentences into complex sentences. I
also elaborated on what I found questionable about
Fortunately for the industry, nanotechnology has several users around the world, besides these drugs.

Eddie Mora. About 0.7% to 4.5% of German students have used cognitive enhancers throughout

their lifetime and they even happen to be popular among several college students, for the primary

sake of performance and productivity enhancement. Examples of such cognitive enhancers

include methylphenidate and amphetamine, which are known to improve working and episodic

memory, inhibitory control, aspects of attention and planning in normal individuals. Several

athletes and celebrities use steroids that are produced by nanoparticles in order to not only

improve their respective performance, but also for their physique. As of lately, I have been

questioning the reliability of nanotechnology, owing to its various flirtations with the law as well

as its mild to detrimental positive and negative impacts on the health of an average earthling. Commented [DS4]: Added a whole new paragraph
relating to real-life examples of nanotechnology, the
statistics and decided to keep the last sentence.
How prevalent is the nanotechnology industry around the world?

What is nanotechnology? Nanotechnology is basically the branch of technology that

involves building technical equipment through manipulation of atomic material and this field has

been rapidly growing since the advent of the 21st century. In fact the industry has become very

influential that even PMC, the US National Library of Medicine, has described the

nanotechnology movement as “the biggest engineering innovation since the Industrial

Revolution” (As of now, according to the analysis “This is Nanotechnology - One of the Fastest

Growing Markets in the World”, written by Dr. Muhammad Adeel Irfan and published by GAEU

Consulting, the nanotechnology industry is stated to be one of the rapidly growing markets
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

internationally at the moment, primarily because the industry offers “great potential and

advancements for society” (Dr. Irfan, 1). According to Dr. Irfan, nanotechnology has a variety of

practical applications to it, and examples of areas where it can be applied, include: medicine,

food & cosmetics, human & environmental health, and not to mention, technology & industry.

Nanotechnology has had such a widespread impact in developed countries, that as of last year,

even developing countries have been thinking of adopting nanotechnology treatments to solve

their respective environmental related problems, notably water scarcity. For instance, India has

been thinking of adopting nanoscale solutions made from carbon nanotubes for water

purification. Through this method, harmful particles such as viruses, bacteria, toxic metal ions

will not be allowed free passes through interiors, whereas miniscule water molecules will be

permitted. As of now, China, United States, India, Iran and South Korea occupy the top five

positions of countries who use nanotechnology.

What are the beneficial impacts of nanotechnology?

According to the scientific article, “Human Enhancement and Nanotechnology”, which

incidentally happens to be a brief published by the Foresight Nanotech Institute and written by

Jacob Heller and Christine Peterson, nanotechnology for whatever controversial enhancements it

is bound to produce, can positively change one’s life. Examples of such so-called enhancements

despite being unnatural, include “extreme intelligence and memory capacity, significantly

heightened sense of awareness, astonishing athletic capability and strength, and beauty

enhancements” (Heller & Peterson). The advantages of nanotechnology are apparently beneficial

to the extent that it has the potential to mark “the end of pain, disease, and aging” (Heller &

Peterson, 1). To sum it up in simple English, the quotes made by the authors Heller and Peterson
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

in this respective report, basically indicate that nanotechnology can change the face of earth in

the sense that it can eradicate several problems faced in daily life. Nanotechnology not only

works miracles on one’s brain, but it also affects their physical and emotional health. Besides

functioning with humans, nanotechnology has also been known to aid in the creation of materials

used in daily life. Examples of these materials include those related with construction, clothing,

and certain medicine such as antibiotics. However, despite inducing a promising outlook on life,

nanotechnology has several ethical concerns it should first fight off.

Nanotechnology, when used on humans, is primarily known for the effective

enhancement of a few parts of their brain. For instance, nanoparticle known as donepezil which

incidentally happens to work towards inhibiting cholinesterase – a neurotransmitter known for

relaxing the brain, has been proven in a 2014 study in the United States, that one digestion of a

nanoparticle can prove to modestly benefit cognition and behavior. Donepezils have the potential

to prevent one from acquiring Alzheimer’s disease, primarily because they enhance not only the

memory but also the retention of items. Ampakines, which are benzamide compounds – another

family of nanoparticles, have been proven to augment alertness, sustain attention span, assist in

learning and memory, and even excite the brain, which incidentally prevents one from acquiring

depression or even remembering traumas that lead to anxiety-related stress disorders such as

Post-Traumatic stress disorder. Commented [DS5]: Added a whole new paragraph on

how certain nanoparticle-produced medicines can
affect the brain.
According to the report, “Iran and Nanotechnology: A New Experience of on Time

Entry”, written by Irani students from Tehran: Sepehr Ghazinoori, Fatemeh Salehi Yazdi, and

Ali Mohammad Soltani, nanotechnology has somehow positively impacted the employment

sector in Iran, as apparently, “more than 60 startup companies have been established in the field
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

of nanotechnology in Iran” (11). Several nanotechnology related product lines have been

launched too, and examples of these products include: anti-stain men’s wear, low-emission

glasses for buildings, long-lasting traffic paints and anti-bacterial wound sprays. These products

are eventually created using nano-materials such as zinc oxide which aids in inner wear and

medical textiles. Zinc oxide nanoparticles attached with soluble starch have the potential to

create applications such as certain textiles and sunscreens that aid in blocking ultraviolet.

Aerogel, a lightweight nanoparticle produced by silica plays a crucial role in the creation of low-

emission glasses for buildings. Titanium dioxide, another nanoparticle, aids in crating long-

lasting traffic paints. Silver-based nanoparticles are used for the formation of anti-bacterial

wound sprays, which have proven to be effective in healing wounds within short time periods. Commented [DS6]: Elaborated on how
nanotechnology is used in the fashion and construction
industry.
Besides the textile industry, nanotechnology has also been known to aid in medical

treatments. For instance, certain nuclear nanoparticles with magnetism aids in medical imaging

methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for MRI (Magnetic Resonance

Imaging) scans. According to a research in 2017, nanomedicines have the capacity to increase

absorbability of drugs in the sense that the respective drug that was ingested for therapy can

remain active in the body thanks to these respective nanomedicines. Solid tumors, which contain

characteristics such as leaky blood vessels can be solved through the use of nanomedicines in the

sense that nanomedicines being the small particles they are, are perfect for retaining the

respective chemicals released from leaked blood vessels into the affected tissue.

Nanotherapeutics, a type of nanomedicine, is known to treat inflammatory diseases such as

rheumatoid arthritis. Commented [DS7]: Added more info on how

nanotechnology can be used in the manufacturing of
medicine, as well as for certain medical treatments.
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

Nanotechnology does sure seem to be something that can seem highly advantageous.

However, like any person, place, and thing in the world, nanotechnology does have its flaws too.

What are the potential concerns of nanotechnology?

Though nanotechnology has its share of advantages, several concerns have not only been

cited by the media but also by several researchers as well and the only roadblock that prevents it

from being a wide scale industry is its safety concerns. According to the UCLA’s school of

Public Health, intake of nanoparticles has been shown to have several detrimental effects on

one’s physical health and were practically “linked to all the big killers of man, namely cancer,

heart disease, neurological disease and aging” (Amid Nanotech’s Dazzling Promise, Health

Risks Grow). Nanotechnology has also been known to cause several lung-related diseases and

apparently has “the potential to cause mesothelioma” (Weiss, 1). Mesothelioma is a rare but an

aggressive form of cancer, which induces symptoms such as cough, chest pain and shortness of

breath. Apparently, nanoparticles have the capability of being as harmful as asbestos, another

hazardous mesothelioma-inducing fiber.

This even applies to steroids too, as steroids, like nanotechnology, give quick results only

to lead to a thunderous downfall within a short span of time. Many A-lister celebrities in

Hollywood are apparently known to use steroids to acquire a bulky physique within short time

periods, which incidentally leads to a thunderous downfall that strikes the person in a similar

way how meteors strike planet Earth. In fact, Dwayne Johnson also known as the Rock, a

popular Hollywood entertainer and actor as well as a former World Wrestling Entertainment

wrestler, admitted to steroid intake since the age of eighteen. Johnson stated how steroid use has

the capability “to negate the hard work you put in” (Jonathan Salmon). Even internationally
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

renowned bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Cutler, have admitted to steroid

use in their respective prime, as they had to maintain their respective muscles. Commented [DS8]: Tried to give anecdotes on how
harmful nanotechnology can be, if taken regularly, and
even tried making it seem relatable to the reader.
Besides its negative impacts on human health, nanotechnology has a potential chance of

adversely affecting the environment, economy, privacy and security. For instance, there are

possibilities of the hazardous entries of nanotechnology powered toxins and pollutants into the

environment. Now how will it affect the economy? Well, according to the author of the article,

“Advantages & Disadvantages of Nanotechnology” (published by Chron), Clare Edwards,

nanotechnology has the potential to “result in job losses” (Edwards, 1) owing to potential

changes in the manufacturing process of the average industry soon. Nanotechnology powered

devices also have the potential to invade the average human’s privacy in the fact that there lie

quite a few possibilities to the invention of “microscopic recording devices, which would be

virtually undetectable” (Edwards, 1). Nanotechnology can also affect the security of people in

the sense that a recent invention in smart bullets, computerized bullets that can be monitored and

aimed at accurately, has the potential of not only working wonders for the military, but can also

fall into the “wrong hands” (Edwards, 1), or in other words, terrorists.

Another concern with nanotechnology falls into the financial sector. For instance, the

nanotechnology industry sells materials at high costs. In 2008, according to the British

newspaper, Business News, the food industry which claimed to contain food and products that

contain particles with “anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties” (Sarah Britton)

proved to be highly expensive for its respective customers, despite its promises to “keep food

safer, fresher, healthier, and tastier” (Sarah Britton). This incident can especially prove to be

resourceful for aspiring businessmen and business students, as this illustrates how high prices
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

can work against the demand of a product despite its fair share of promises dealing with making

a beneficial impact to the world. The excessive costs involved in not only nanoparticle related

production, but also in the business, adversely affect the demand and availability of those

products for its respective consumers to purchase. Though the wealthy upper classes can afford

nanomaterial products, the same cannot be said for those living in undesirable conditions or even

for the average middle-class family. Nanotechnology also does face competition from the GMO

(Genetically Modified Organisms) industry, in the sense that some people seem to prefer it as a

safer alternative when compared to nanotechnology, in the sense that genetically modified

organisms, namely plants, animals and microorganisms with an altered anatomy, do not have the

potential of causing tumors, although the food is still somewhat artificial. Commented [DS9]: Added another disadvantage to
nanotechnology, just so that the benefits and
drawbacks can be balanced out.
Final Thoughts

My personal take towards this issue is somewhat biased given the fact that I am what one

would call, “mentally impaired”. I must say that I am not a big advocate of nanotechnology-

powered drug intake into the human body, owing to my experiences with Concerta intake. Yes,

these sorts of mind-altering drugs do a terrific task in improving the mind, and examples of

positive side effects I had encountered, included: an increasingly alert mind, boosted

productivity, decreased hyperactivity, and an organized framework and thought process. And

yes, my academic and social life did improve to a major extent. And why am I against it? Well,

some of the side effects I encountered, included serious conditions such as insomnia, increased

acne, eye spasms and drug dependency. Periodical intake proved to be worse, and whenever I

took the drug on weekends, my brain often felt fried and this was only a small sign which

indicated my overall struggle with Concerta-withdrawal during my break-times.

Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

Based on the evidence I have gathered, nanotechnology, despite all its benefits, also has

its fair share of disadvantages. To speak for the best interest of every aspiring “Leonardo Da

Vinci” or “Albert Einstein” around the world, it is best if they resort to natural rather than

artificial and technical methods for improving their intelligence. Physical exercise for example is

one method that has been proven to work wonders towards the brain’s attention span and

thinking capacity, and neglecting that over nanotechnology is not a good sign for things to come

soon. Examples of the various effects, plain physical exercise can do, include: mood

improvement, weight loss, muscle strength improvement, energy level increase, and memory

improvements to name a few. Yes, it does take longer than nanotechnology, but despite the

heavy price one must pay with arduous, exhausting physical activity, and other than minor

fatigue in a few areas in the body, physical exercise doesn’t at least make people suffer from side

effects that can hamper your body and can only be possible through regular intake of

nanotechnology-powered drugs. It is time people realized how more important lengthy, arduous

hard work is when compared to shortcut routes, as well as the various amount of benefits hard

work has, especially when it comes to sustaining solid, consistent efforts in the long run. One

main important principle I learned, was that every industry despite its promising nature, has

flaws when you dive deeper inside to the structure. As stated before, this applies to not only

business, but even to human beings and places around the world.
Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

Works Cited

“Global Nanotechnology Industry.” PR Newswire: News Distribution, Targeting and

Monitoring, ProfNet, 19 Feb. 2018, www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-

nanotechnology-industry-300600551.html. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.

“Global Nanotechnology Market Outlook 2015-2020 – Industry Will Grow to Reach US$ 75.8

Billion.” PR Newswire: News Distribution, Targeting and Monitoring, ProfNet, 12 Jun.

2015, www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-nanotechnology-industry-

300600551.html. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.

“Iran Ranks 4th in Nanotechnology Worldwide.” Tehran Times, Tehran Times, 1 Feb. 2018,

www.tehrantimes.com/news/420885/Iran-ranks-4th-in-nanotechnology-worldwide.

Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.

“The Benefits of Nanomedicine.” AzoNano.com, AzoNano.com, 16 Nov. 2017,

https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4654. Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.

Britton, Sarah. “High Cost of Nanotechnology Means Manufacturers Miss Out.”

Foodmanufacture.co.uk, William Reed Business Media Ltd., 19 May 2008,

https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2008/05/19/High-cost-of-nanotechnology-

means-manufacturers-miss-out. Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.

Edwards, Clare. “Advantages & Disadvantages of Nanotechnology.” Small Business –

Chron.com, Chron.com, 21 Nov. 2017, www.smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-

disadvantages-nanotechnology-37398.html. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.

Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

Frati P, Kyriakou C, Del Rio A, Marinelli E, Vergallo GM, Zaami S, Busardó FP (January

2015). “Smart drugs and synthetic androgens for cognitive and physical enhancement:

revolving doors of cosmetic neurology” Curr Neuropharmacol. 13 (1): 5-11.

doi:10.2174/1570159X13666141210221750. PMC 4462043. PMID 26074739. Accessed

8 Nov. 2018.

Gwinn, Maureen R., and Val Vallyathan. “Nanoparticles: Health Effects – Pros and Cons.”

Environmental Health Perspectives, vol.114, no. 12, 18 Aug. 2006., pp. 1818-1825.,

doi:10.128/ehp.8871. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.

Heller, Jacob, and Christine Peterson. “Human Enhancement and Nanotechnology.” Foresight

Institute, https://foresight.org/policy/brief2.html. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018

Irfan, Muhamad Adeel. “This Is Nanotechnology – One of the Fastest Growing Markets in the

World.” Gaeu Consulting - Experts in Horizon 2020 Funding, Gaeu Consulting,

www.gaeu.com/item/this-is-nanotechnology-one-of-the-fastest-growing-markets-in-the-

world. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018

Macaulay, Scott. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS, Filmmaker Magazine, 2011. Accessed 8 Nov.

2018

Salmon, Jonathan. “Dwayne Johnson Comes Clean on Steroid Use | Generation Iron.”

Generation Iron Fitness & Bodybuilding Network, Generation Iron Fitness Network, 12

Oct. 2016, generationiron.com/dwayne-rock-johnsons-steroid-use/. Accessed 8 Nov.

2018

Semeco, Ariene. “The Top 10 Benefits of Regular Exercise.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 10

Feb. 2017, www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise. Accessed 8. Nov. 2018

Sumedh Dadi

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

University Writing 1104

December 4th, 2018

Schneider, Andrew (March 24, 2010) "Amid Nanotech's Dazzling Promise, Health Risks

Grow"Archived 2010-03-26 at the Wayback Machine. AOL News. Accessed 8 Nov.

2018.

Swan, Melanie. “Nanomedical Cognitive Enhancement.” Institute for Ethics and Emerging

Technologies, IEET, 11 July 2014, ieet.org/index.php/IEET2/more/swan20140711.

Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.

Weiss, Rick. “Effects of Nanotubes May Lead to Cancer, Study Says.” The Washington Post,

WP Company, 21 May 2008, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-

dyn/content/article/2008/05/20/AR2008052001331.html?hpid=sec-

health&sid=ST2008052100104&noredirect=on. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018. Commented [DS10]: Removed the highlight that was
surrounding some of the citations, and even made sure
to double space them and place the citations in
hanging indent form.