Humans are constantly striving to create bigger, better, and more powerful technologies. The introduction of nanotechnology into the world of research and development has promised revolutionary steps forward in a wide variety of fields, from nanomedicine to nanotechnology in advanced weaponry to personal enhancement [1] . Nanomaterials are, simply put, any material that has at least one dimension that is less than 100 nanometers thick. Several basic carbon-based nanomaterials are shown in Figure 1. Nanomaterials have a very large surface area compared to their volume, and act differently than those same materials act in bulk. Scientists have utilized the unique and powerful characteristics of nanomaterials to develop copious amounts of new technology. As nanotechnology becomes more powerful, so too do the applications.
Figure 1: Various nanomaterials, including CNTs and graphene
Many studies research ways to help sick or disabled persons improve their quality of life. Nanomaterials have been used in applications such as combating cancer [2] and in pain treatment [3] – arguably incredible feats with incredible benefits. However, there are many concerns about how advanced nanotechnologies will be used. These technologies could potentially be used by normal, healthy humans to enhance their physical and mental traits, a quest that has been sought after for melinia. Nanotechnology takes a lot of time and advanced technology to develop. For this reason, it is quite expensive. Those with access to this nanotechnology are the ones with the deepest pockets. As nanotechnology improves to unimaginable levels, only the wealthiest will be able to afford these new incredible technologies.
It may seem that a world full of half-human half-machine humanoids is impossible, like a scene from a dystopian movie. However, it may be a reality that is already in progress. New nanotechnology will be developed, with incredible benefits, and without regulation, it will be used by the wealthy to make them smarter, stronger, and more powerful than the rest of the human population. This would create a divide in humanity, leaving many to wonder if it will be a net positive to continue the development of these nanotechnologies. Some may argue that if this technology benefits humanity, it is essential to utilize it. However, if it eventually creates a divide between humans and an enhanced, human-like race, this technology would contribute to a division within humanity. Advancement in nanotechnology must be regulated; it must be used only to help those who are in need of it medically, not to physically or mentally enhance those with access to it, and these regulations need to be put into place before the technology is developed.
Neural Implants
One incredibly prevalent and controversial application of nanotechnology is in neural implant devices. One such device is shown in Figure 2. Nanomaterials have been introduced to help a wide variety of degenerative diseases, from Parkinson’s to restoring eyesight [4]. But the technology produced can be harnessed or modified to improve the physical traits of healthy humans. One study used nanotechnology known as “electrospinning” to grow cells from the retina [5]. The grown cells could be used to replace damaged cells causing vision to deteriorate. This is an incredible breakthrough, and a way to potentially cure blindness. Similarly, another study optimized subretinal implants using nano photodiodes [6]. They found that the device performance was far superior when compared to previously reported works. This allows for improved visual acuity and visual field of the implanted device. Both of these studies show that extensive improvements of human vision are possible through implanted devices. However, with similar technology, these improvements could be harnessed to improve the vision of those with already perfect vision. This would allow those with the funds to elect to have a physical advantage over those without the funds.
Figure 2: Visual of an implant utilizing nanomaterials
Prosthesis
Another application of nanotechnology is in prosthetic devices. Prosthesis researchers have introduced nanomaterials into their work, which due to their surface area to volume ratio, can be utilized to have increased strength. One study introduced Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), a type of carbon based nanomaterial, into an artificial muscle called a yarn muscle. These CNT-infused yarn muscles could withstand 61 times the amount of stress of a skeletal muscle, and 8 times that of other yarn muscles [7]. Another study found that when Titanium nanoparticles in combination with Perlon (a woven form of nylon) were introduced into prosthetic devices, a 40.5% decrease in muscle fatigue was observed [8]. These new technologies have made humans stronger. While it is currently only being used by those in medical need of it, the technology exists to create a more powerful human. While the future of nanotechnology remains unclear, it is under constant development, and technologies similar to this one could be used simply to enhance a human limb. Those with access to this technology could use it for their own elected benefit.
Beauty
Beauty is an interesting topic when it comes to nanotechnology. It can be argued that using nanotechnology to enhance beauty is just an extension of current, relatively uncontroversial technology that already exists, such as makeup or plastic surgery. However, as nanotechnology advances, the line between a simple extension of existing products and a new class of products entirely will blur. One study investigated the use and benefits of nanotechnology in cosmetic devices [9]. The cosmetic industry has benefited greatly from nanomaterials, as they provide unique benefits such as site selectivity, high effectiveness, high penetrability, prolonged activity, and drug encapsulation potential. Therefore, it is quite attractive to steer away from regular beauty products and towards these new ones. Another study studied the possible use of nanomaterials in cosmetics to treat characteristics associated with aging [10]. It found that the nanomaterial-based products had health advantages over standard products. It is tempting to take the advantages of these products at face value. As of now, nanomaterial-infused products are simply better than existing products. However, if we do not regulate the use of nanomaterials within current cosmetic products, that will be the standard when nanomaterial based technology is developed in the future. Nanotechnology is also being implemented into reconstructive surgery. It is being used in three dimensional printing technology to correct oral and maxillofacial defects, which has allowed those suffering from these defects to have a higher quality of life. However, the same technology can be used to modify faces of those without these defects, allowing them to look more attractive. This again gives those who can afford it a leg up on the rest of the population.
Conclusion
Nanotechnology is actively improving the quality of life of those in need, from healing eyesight to improving prosthetic strength to curing growth defects. In general, many sick or disabled people are benefiting from this technology. It is a very attractive idea to chalk these revolutions up to the advancement of humanity, and embrace new inventions with an open mind. After all, if they are helping those in need, why shouldn’t we utilize them to their full potential, and pour funding and research into their development? This technology is incredibly powerful, but their potential is even more so. While it is currently helping humanity, nanotechnology will gradually transition into a way to improve the normal, healthy human body.
Advocates for human enhancement claim that humans will stay human, but become smarter, stronger and healthier, or say that this technology will allow us to become conscious machines [11]. This may sound like generally beneficial to some. However, as this technology turns from healing to enhancing, “society might become subdivided into classes of human: the enhanced vs. the unenhanced; or the controllers and the controlled” [12]. The cutoff between these two groups will be a financial barrier. As those who can afford this technology (and who choose to use it) become stronger, smarter, and more beautiful, the rest of the world is left behind. The “enhanced” will be more likely to secure a job, and more likely to become richer – widening the gap. If this technology remains unregulated, the class system will change entirely.
However, this technology is still very new. Research, testing, and development of these new devices takes a lot of time. It will likely be decades before enhancing technology is possible and available to the point where a social division could happen. New technologies will be developed gradually, but they will be developed. As they come into circulation, it is imperative that we approach these technologies with a calculated and ethical response. We must regulate this technology to be used only for medical treatments, and not personal enhancement. These regulations must be put into place as soon as possible to set the standard for future developments.
Works Cited
[1] Bonsor, K., & Strickland, J. (2023, August 18). How nanotechnology works. HowStuffWorks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology5.htm
[2] Rawat, N., Ahmad, N., Raturi, P., Singhvi, N., Sahai, N., & Kothiyal, P. (2023/12//). Nanobiomaterials: Exploring mechanistic roles in combating microbial infections and cancer. Nanoscale Research Letters, 18(1), 158. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-023-03946-x
[3] Xu, Y., Dong, X., Xu, H., Jiao, P., Zhao, L., & Su, G. (2023/09/13/). Nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems for pain treatment and relief: From the delivery of a single drug to co-delivery of multiple therapeutics. Pharmaceutics, 15(9) doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15092309
[4] CORDIS, cordis. europa. eu. (2013, June 28). Is human enhancement through nanotechnology fair? https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/91307-is-human-enhancement-through-nanotechnology-fair
[5] Hutton, D. (2023/08/15/). Retina cell nanotechnology breakthrough could help treat blindness. Modern Retina, Retrieved from https://colorado.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/retina-cell-nanotechnology-breakthrough-could/docview/2851020893/se-2
[6] Moorthy, V. M., Rathnasami, J. D., & Srivastava, V. M. (2023). Design optimization and characterization with fabrication of nanomaterials-based photo diode cell for subretinal implant application. Nanomaterials, 13(5), 934. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13050934
[7] Ren, M., Dong, L., Wang, X., Li, Y., Zhao, Y., Cui, B., . . . Li, Q. (2023/12//). Dual-ion co-regulation system enabling high-performance electrochemical artificial yarn muscles with energy-free catch states. Nano-Micro Letters, 15(1), 162. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01133-2
[8] Zhou, H., Chen, J., Zhang, X., Chen, J., Chen, J., Jia, S., . . . Yu, F. (2024). Exploring the application of graphene oxide-based nanomaterials in the repair of osteoporotic fractures. Nanomaterials, 14(6), 553. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14060553
[9] Sharma, A., Agarwal, P., Sebghatollahi, Z., & Mahato, N. (2023). Functional nanostructured materials in the cosmetics industry: A review. ChemEngineering, 7(4), 66. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering7040066
[10] Three-dimensional technology applications in maxillofacial reconstructive surgery: Current surgical implications. (2020). Nanomaterials, 10(12), 2523. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122523
[11] Sharma, R., & Garg, A. (2023///Autumn). Nanomaterials: Applications and challenges in the cosmetics sector. International Journal of Nano Dimension, 14(4), 286-303. Retrieved from https://colorado.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/nanomaterials-applications-challenges-cosmetics/docview/2892718532/se-2
[12] Masci, D., & Masci, D. (2024, April 14). Human enhancement. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2016/07/26/human-enhancement-the-scientific-and-ethical-dimensions-of-striving-for-perfection/
[13] CORDIS, cordis. europa. eu. (2013, June 28). Is human enhancement through nanotechnology fair? https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/91307-is-human-enhancement-through-nanotechnology-fair
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