The potential horrors of nanotechnology seem to keep on coming. Not long after the mythical
grey goo threat was dismissed by nanotechnology pioneers, a new threat appears:
green goo created by the merging of nanotechnology and biotechnology -- nanobiotech.
What is green goo? It's a runaway mass of self-replicating organisms created by biotechnology researchers relying on nanotech processes. Imagine an artificially-created microbe that can feed on practically anything, survive harsh conditions, and spread through the air. That's one rendition of the green goo threat.
Naturally, there's tremendous skepticism about these nano-threats, especially in the minds of those engaged in nanotechnology research or nano-based products. They say the threats aren't proven. But critics counter with the important point that nanotechnology should be proven safe before unleashed on the world, especially given the mere possibility of widespread, unstoppable destruction posed by tiny self-replicating machines or microbes.
What's my take? I haven't decided if nanotechnology is a legitimate threat or just an imagined one. The jury's still out in my mind. But given what I've seen with pharmaceuticals, genetically-modified crops and modern medicine in general, I'm downright suspicious of the profit motives of any corporation that promises to use nanotech to "make our lives better." Chances are, their main purpose for nanotech is to make their bank accounts fatter, and any concern for public welfare is seriously dimished by the potential for industrial profits.
In other words, nanotechnology or not, I don't trust corporate America. If they could build tiny, self-replicating machines to sneak into our homes and lift money out of our wallets, I have no doubt they'd do it.
About the author: Mike Adams is a consumer health advocate and award-winning journalist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams created NaturalNews.TV, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He's also a noted pioneer in the email marketing software industry, having been the first to launch an HTML email newsletter technology that has grown to become a standard in the industry. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and pursues hobbies such as martial arts, Capoeira, nature macrophotography and organic gardening. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known on the 'net as 'the Health Ranger,' Adams shares his ethics, mission statements and personal health statistics at www.HealthRanger.org
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Monday, July 19, 2004
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