Full story: Experts warn
expert on toxicity of products made nanoparticles
Note: La Jornada, Alfredo Valadez Rodríguez, 30.09.2009
Nanotechnology is opening new and complex ethical and social challenges, when found at the frontiers of atomic and molecular manipulation of matter "virtually no no difference between the biotic and abiotic material. " This basic fact puts scientists on the threshold of what will be the true creation of artificial living beings having said researcher William Foladori, founder and president of the Latin American Nanotechnology and Society.
The Uruguayan-born specialist, doctor in economics from the University Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), a member of the International Nanotechnology and Society, gave a lecture at the Zacatecas Autonomous University, where he spoke about the findings and problems that humanity is facing nanotechnology. Foladori warned that labs in Europe and Asia has begun to see that the nanoparticles, developed for use in many industrial and commercial processes, have high toxicity.
confirmed that there are many products on the world market for cosmetics companies like L'Oreal, and mobile devices such as Phone, made from nanotechnology, without warning consumers about the risks they face.
The same applies to Samsung, DuPont and Bayer, who produce and market "innovative" products, dangerous to health and the environment, said the expert, who has taught at universities in Honduras, Uruguay and Brazil, and researcher Columbia University.
Moreover, Foladori said, we are on the verge of a new "industrial and social revolution," because the application of nanotechnology will have "an enormous impact on the social division of labor." Even, he warned, "many branches of the world economy as we know them today will be reduced or disappear."
Nanotechnology has laid the foundations for a new biotechnology platform on which will be developed countless techniques and production methods. "We are witnessing the creation of artificial life has already been done and has been patented to meet specific actions, such as the production of bacteria for certain functions in the cleaning industry."
can also think of development of an internal combustion engine that does not require oil and whose life would be three or four times longer than the common one. Or in the development of a fabric, the garment industry, in addition to expelling the smell of perfume not crease and does not require washing, it cleans itself. However, increased unemployment, poverty and marginalization, he said.
For example, he said, there are products such as wool, cotton and linen are being replaced by industrial and commercial in the coming years of fibers that exceed in quality, durability and cost. As a result, avoid producing million head of sheep, and thousands of millions of hectares of agriculture will be devoted to cotton in the world, but the impact will be enormous economic, social and political. Moreover, the toxicological aspect is known and unknown, "Many of the big pharmaceutical hide."
Foladori said: "According to the experiments, we know that carbon nanotubes cause cancer in the stomach" and that silver nanoparticles have significantly increased allergic responses. He cited that there is a toothbrush from Oral-B in Brazil to warn about the use of nanotechnology, but in Mexico is sold without informing him. Foladori said "all major brands of cosmetics using nanoparticles that could be absorbed through the skin and cause toxic and allergic reactions still unknown."
