Week 7 Blog

Week 7 Blog
This week we discovered how nanotechnology has an impact on energy, nature, food, agriculture, and electronics, as well as on almost every aspect of technology and science due to the fact that it is such a broad field. Many people don't realize that nanotechnology directly affects their personal lives and they are most likely unaware of the hundreds of products that exist as a result of nanotechnology such as in our food or clothes.


https://fineartamerica.com/featured/nanotechnology-conceptual-artwork-laguna-design.html

There is a group called ETC that is against nanotechnology because of the potential dangers. Some examples of products that contain nanotechnology are health supplements, soft drinks, cooking oils, and fertilizers. A specific case of health claims related to nanotechnology in a product was in a diet milkshake called "Slim Shake Chocolate" which was a health risk due to contents containing silica nano-particles. Although the health risks of nano-silica were not clearly understood, many studies suggested a need for caution.
http://www.nanotechproject.org/cpi/products/nanoceuticalstm-slim-shake-chocolate/

Many people are against nanotechnology being incorporated into their food due to the many potential health risks. A 2005 study showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles were toxic to human lung cells even at low concentrations. Other studies have shown that tiny silver particles (15 nanometers) killed liver and brain cells from rats. There is a strong chance that the number of foods and food products containing the particles are being underestimated because they are self-reported by companies.


http://futureforall.org/nanotechnology/risks.htm

Groups such as ETC feel that the federal government has failed to protect consumers from the potential dangers of nano-particles and hopes for a ban on their use in food and food-related products until they have been thoroughly tested to rule out health risks.

REFERENCES:
Biello, David. "Do Nanoparticles in Food Pose a Health Risk?" Scientific American. N.p., 13 Mar. 2008. Web. 21 May 2017. 
 
Hanson, Jack. Nanotechnology Risks | Future For All. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2017.  
 
Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.
 
"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.Base. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2017.  
 
Nanotechnology in Food. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2017.

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