Expert: J.M.J. West - 5/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: What do you think/know about nanotechnology? what does it mean to you? Also, What is your perspective about nanoethics and its foundations?

Thank you for your insight!
Alexandria

ANSWER: Alexandria,

Thank you for your question.

Nano-technology is simply the use of technology to manipulate the nano-scopic world (i.e. the atomic level of the world, smaller than micro-scopic!).

It means this to me because that's just what it means.  It could potentially mean cures or less invasive ways to fight diseases and illnesses like cancer, or do cool things like unclog arteries and allow you to play MP3s in your head (whether this is WISE is a different story, but it's definitely Sci-Fi-cool).

Nano-ethics would probably deal with the in-appropriate, inhumane and unjust uses of nano-technology (e.g. Terrorism, torture, manipulation, etc).

If you want to go deeper we can, but these are very broad questions.

Thanks!

Pax,

-J.M.J. West

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for sharing your insights.

I was hoping what you thought about nanotechnology in terms of medicine: treatments, targeting cancer, medicine in the future and our current environment?
Also, how do you think nanotechnology will effect the business world, example, nanobusiness alliance, international outlook, investing, nano forecasts, things worth watching for? Thank you for your help!

"If I have seen further it is by standing on ye shoulders of Giants" Isaac Newton
Alexandria

Answer
I'm not an expert in nano-technology, but in general it opens avenues previously unavailable to us.  It will greatly affect the business world, with whole new fields of technological research and development in areas like health and communications, recreation and education.

What do YOU think of nano-technology?