Nanotechnology - "the Salvation of the Mankind" with Security Risks?

Abstract

The aim of the article is to provide readers with general information on
nanotechnology and possibilities of its use, as well as to refer to some of its
relevant security risks. The author currently mentions claims of some
scientists and NGOs warning against possible misuse of nanotechnology
due to the insufficient control over the research and the application. So far,
less anticipated consequences of nanotechnology, converging with
genetics, robotics, informatics and cognitive science, on all branches of the
economy and social and other relations require that sufficient
information.should be given not only to the Czech experts but to general
society as well. The real threat of the misuse of nanotechnology towards
the research, development and the production of the new types of
chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and other security risks increase
that need. In spite of the long-term knowledge of nanotechnology, the
possibilities of its use in a revolutionary way increased from 80th of the last
century. It was due to the new types of microscopes enabling for the first
time precise manipulation of the nano-scale particles. Results of nanoscale
exploration are more and more visible e.g. in various consumer products
and according to the views of some scientific circles we could witness
dramatic transformation of the economy in the near future. The article
points out the rapid increase of spending on basic nanoscience research,
growing number of governmental, private and multinational corporations
and various national nano-initiatives dealing with this kind of research and
development, accepted mainly in the high-industrialized countries. In the
article there are mentioned some reservations and concerns of the
prominent American scientists and NGOs in association with the important
goal of the nanotechnology research focused on the process of self-reproduction, self-repair and self-assembly. Various arms control and
disarmament experts pay attention to the connections of the
nanotechnological research with the possibility of production of the new
types of nuclear weapons of the 4th generation. In conclusion the author
expresses his view on the usefulness to create efficient system of the
governmental and public control of this sphere of the scientic research and
the need to devote sufficient attention by the appropriate officials and
experts to the security aspects of nanotechnology.