Debate about nanotechnology

Today, nanoparticles are present in many products for life such as electronic machinery, cosmetics, clothing, pharmaceuticals . Is nano safe?

At nanoscale (one nanometer is one millionth of a millimeter), the properties of matter will change. Therefore, nanomaterials are very durable, flexible and easy to bond. But because of that, they are very easy to cause side effects. Due to their small size, these molecules can penetrate through the skin. In the case of inhalation or ingestion, they can pass through the intestinal wall, meninges, blood vessels . and damage the organs in the body.

According to French newspaper Le Monde, some scientific reports have emphasized that nanoparticles can be dangerous. Experimental mice inhaled nanoparticles with lung fibrosis. Scientists studying toxins believe that if the amount of inhaled nanoparticles increases, people may also develop lung diseases.

Facing the risk posed by nanotechnology, a debate about nanotechnology takes place across France since October 15 and will last for more than 4 months.

Carbon nanotubes.

Mr. Jean Bergougnoux, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the debate, said the purpose of the debate is to gather people's opinions on nanotechnology. According to him, sustainable development requires not only people to master new technologies but also to be prepared for decisions that can have a strong impact on the whole society.

Earlier, in February of this year, the National Debate Committee consulted with the seven ministers on the organization of a debate to clarify some issues: supporting research on nanotechnology, hitting price of toxic to people and ecosystems, providing information and protection of workers, consumers, controlling nano products . This committee consists of 7 members from many different fields like professor of theology, novelist, architect . has been established. They have nothing to do with nanotechnology. And the committee is only responsible for providing information, listening and acknowledging, not making decisions.

Here, according to Le Monde, a series of 17 debates is open to everyone on various topics to be held in many cities. And the final debate will take place on 23 February 2010 in Paris. Bergougnoux hopes to have between 10,000 and 12,000 participants in the debate to raise their views. All comments are recorded in the final report. Within 2 months after the debate is over, the committee will analyze details of the comments and summarize the relevant ministries.

Is the referendum too late, when nanotechnology has permeated everywhere? According to Bergougnoux, the market for products using nanotechnology will develop strongly in the next 5 years, 3-5 times higher than today. Therefore, there is still time to argue and intervene. He also said that people's opinions are very weight and will have a certain influence.

It is estimated that the global market for nano-technology products reaches nearly 750 billion euros per year and can create many million jobs by 2015.

Le Monde newspaper said that the European Parliament also supported the establishment of European regulations on nano products. The European Commission in Brussels offers a deadline of 2012.

Nanotechnology is a technology industry involved in the design, analysis, fabrication and application of structures, devices, and systems by controlling shapes and sizes on a nanometer scale.