Nanotechnology: A blessing or a curse for developing countries?

Nanotechnology is a new way to revolutionize agriculture and the global food system. Because the applications were found to be able to reduce waste, make food safer and help people create 'super crop' varieties that avoid the invasion of genetically modified organisms.

But the blossoming of technology is relatively new, especially in developing countries, which also raises concerns about its long-term safety for human health and environmental quality.

So what are the latest ideas for using nanotech in food security ? What can this technology do? And what are their security concerns?

Some scientists are planning to use nanotechnology to improve nutrition.

The term 'nanotechnology' is used to refer to all applications of nanoparticles of any size (from 1 to 100 nanometers) . The microstructure gives them different functions such as changing the texture, shape and taste of food.

In addition, products containing this type of grain were also discovered with many uses such as making biodegradable packaging, extending shelf life, preventing food poisoning and minimizing waste.

For example, the nanosensor parts on the packaging can tell you whether food is exposed to sunlight or the quality of the product is reduced.

Some scientists are planning to use nanotechnology to improve nutrition . They began to study the use of nano emulsions - foods that improve the biological activity of the food that is digested with them. The new discovery could help humans get the most out of the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables - a particularly promising use for overcoming malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in the human body.

Enhance the tolerance of crops

Scientists are even studying the use of nanomaterials to improve the supply of fertilizers and pesticides, while creating beneficial crop varieties.

Landry's team is exploring the application of carbon nanotubes - long, narrow and hard - to alter plant genes without introducing foreign DNA into the plant's genome. The altered gene then correctly created the genetic generation that is resistant to herbicides, insects, diseases and drought.

This is the potential for better new crops without having to worry about the "fear" of genetic modification.

"This method will actually be cheaper than the method currently used to modify the gene pool of plants such as" gene guns, "a device used to deliver exogenous DNA, said Landry. to Agrobacterium cells, or bacteria used to move genes between cells. "

"In addition, when used, nanoparticles do not need refrigeration like Agrobacterium or advanced laboratory equipment such as gene guns, so their use is feasible when the resource environment is limited. The current".

Worry about health and safety

But in contrast to the advancements of this type of technology, some people are increasingly worried by the lack of long-term studies on the impact of nanomaterials on human health and the environment.

No one knows that, in the long run, they are safe or not because most studies are done only in the lab, on cells or mice, and on unrealistic platforms.

Zahra Rattray, a PhD student at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, said: "I have reviewed several recently unpublished publications and from their results, there is solid evidence of a toxic effect of type. this nut ".

Potential adverse effects, for example, the ingestion of silver nanoparticles used on food packaging can kill beneficial bacteria in the stomach.

Another example is Titan Dioxide, TiO2, also known as E171, used as a food whitening agent. This substance has been shown to accumulate in mouse tissues and is extremely toxic when used in certain doses. However, other studies have shown that: TiO2 is not toxic and the industry that produces this substance claims it is safe.

Lack of control

The lack of scientific reports is a major problem for policy makers and regulators. This means that it is difficult to regulate nanoparticles specifically, in addition to current food safety regulations.

"Unfortunately, we still do not have clear norms for regulating the content of nanoparticles. There is no basic method to analyze the composition of this particle, nor the background. common ground or other similar doctrine, " quoted Kiruba Krishnaswamy, University of Missouri, USA.

Experts mention an urgent need to address this issue from an international perspective, including developing countries.

In addition to concerns about the safety of nanoparticles in food additives, there are also "emerging" concerns about their impact on the environment.

Marie Simonin, a researcher at the Institute for Development Studies in the French city of Montpellier, said that some metal nanoparticles are thought to be stable and non-toxic based on laboratory tests that have been decomposed by Bacteria survive in the natural environment, then cause serious consequences.

Meanwhile, some countries like China or Brazil have used nano insecticides or are investing heavily in the development of this new generation of chemicals.

Not alarming

Christine Ogilvie Hendren, a scientific researcher at Duke University in the United States, said: "The good news is that there is no immediate toxic, no one will quickly be poisoned with the pollution that nanoparticles have. cause".

Some scientists say the world is joining hands to face the challenges surrounding nanotechnology and requires policymakers to be prepared for smart and detailed laws."I am confident we are on the right track, but there is still much work to be done," Trigueros said. "This is a nascent technology industry, so we need to have a more positive view."

1. Nanotechnology and its applications
2. Nano robot technology will be the future of medicine