This paper will describe the ethical aspects of nanotechnology in medicine and health care in general. Since time immemorial, man has been on constant search for the best ways to treat disease and alleviate pain and suffering to fellow human beings. Nanotechnology applications have increasingly been cited as the ultimate answer to mans quest to find cures to most health problems afflicting the human race. Nanotechnology can be defined as the science and technology which involves treatment and prevention of diseases through application of molecular methods and knowledge (Freitas 12).
Although application of nanotechnology has the potential to bring about profound changes in health care, it also comes with significant ethical implications which are of great importance to medical science. Some issues of concern when it comes to nanotechnology include its medical and non-medical application. There is still no clear consensus when it comes to its use for diagnostic, therapeutic or preventive purposes (Ewert 116). Questions have been raised concerning its use on healthy individuals like making deliberate alterations on their bodies when it is not necessary to do so from a medical point of view. An example is implants which are non medical into bodies of soldiers.
Nanotechnology applications are bound to revive the old debate that has been witnessed in other research areas like stem cell and gene therapy. This debate has revolved around the ethical implications of human enhancement on the dignity of human beings. Therefore, despite the future promises that might arise out of nanotechnology and the huge amount funds being sunk in it, very little research is being carried out on its ethical, legal and social implications to humankind (Freitas 16). Since it is a relatively new technology, there is very little empirical data on adverse effects brought about its application to human beings. The risks are not only confined to patients but also the disposal of waste products of nanotechnology and the impact to the environment arising out of the manufacture of nanotechnology appliances. Furthermore, privacy issues have been raised in regards to the collection, handling and processing of massive amounts of information without a proper system of using the huge amount of individual information collected. Therefore, nanotechnology being an emerging technology, it provides an opportunity to start discussing all the potential ethical dilemmas it might that could arise as a result of application of this technology in medicine.
Nanotechnology has the potential to bring significant impact on the application of radiological processes to human health and medical science in general. Nanotechnology will be crucial in complementing radiological processes in treating and managing different ailments, especially cancer. Even though radiation and chemotherapy are the key methods used in treating cancer, they bring about very adverse side effects which could be alleviated by use of nano devices which can enable scientists detect changes in the molecular set up of an individual and hence be able to avert any cancer outcomes (Freitas 18). Therefore nanotechnology can assist in overcoming the current challenges in radiology therapy for diseases like cancer. Use of nanotechnology can assist me as a radiologist in future to interpret molecular images more easily than it is possible now.
In conclusion therefore, nanotechnology has the potential of significantly altering the future of medical imaging and hence providing a bigger window of opportunity in understanding some of the most challenging medical conditions facing human beings.
Works cited
Ewert, Ralph. Nanotechnology applications in health care. Chicago: Informa Healthcare, 163-165. 2007.
Freitas, Robert. Nanomedicine, Volume I: Basic Capabilities, Georgetown: Landes Bioscience, 12-26. 2005.