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 natural health author and award-winning journalist with a mission to teach personal and planetary health to the public He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, and he has created several downloadable courses on survival and preparedness, including his widely-downloaded course on personal safety and self-defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams launched TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He also founded an environmentally-friendly online retailer called BetterLifeGoods.com that uses retail profits to help support consumer advocacy programs. He's also a veteran of the software technology industry, having founded a personalized mass email software product used to deliver email newsletters to subscribers. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. 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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