Nanotechnology Research
Nanotechnology research holds such promise that we simply cannot afford to abandon it. Scientists working in nanotechnology jobs are looking at ways to enhance the products we use, the medications that treat diseases, preventative screenings and the foods we eat. The answer to a number of confounding questions can be found in tiny particles one-billionth the size of a meter. Yet, what are the risks associated with this new nano science? And who is in charge of the oversight for new products containing nano-materials? The answers just might surprise you.
One study conducted by the Tokyo University of Science in Japan discovered that maternal exposure to the nanoparticle “titanium dioxide” affects the expression of hundreds of genes related to the central nervous system in fetal mice. “Nanotechnology and the production of novel man-made nano-particles are increasing worldwide. Titanium dioxide in its nanoparticle form has a high level of photocatalytic activity, and can be used for air and water purification and self-cleaning surfaces. Our findings, however, add to the current concern that this specific nanomaterial may have the potential to affect human health,” reports study leader Ken Takeda. He adds that, compared to control mice, the changes discovered within the genes “include those we normally consider to develop in childhood, such as autistic disorder, epilepsy and learning disorders, and also others that arise mainly in adulthood or old age, such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.” Current nanotechnology research regarding TiO2 is being examined for self-cleaning surfaces, coatings, sun-blocks and paints.
So what does the Food and Drug Administration say about nanotechnology applications? “In light of this fast-rising commercialization, the FDA needs to make certain that it has the tools, resources and information necessary to ensure the safety of novel products before they enter the market, and to detect and move swiftly to correct any problems that may arise,” says David Rejeski, director of nanotechnology research for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN). “Given the agency’s insufficient resources, which for two decades have not kept pace with inflation, making sure that the FDA has the capacity to safely manage nanotechnology must be the shared responsibility of Congress and our political leaders. The agency must be ‘nano-ready’ for the products on the market today and able to deal with the more advanced nanotechnology applications expected in the next 5-10 years.”
One of the problems with the first generation of nanotechnology products is that they have arrived in areas where FDA oversight is the weakest — areas like dietary supplements and cosmetics. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies Chief Science Advisor Andrew Maynard warns, “Because the chemical, physical and biological properties of nanoscale materials are often different from their larger counterparts, they potentially lead to different safety issues. The report’s recommendations that FDA provide clear nanotechnology-associated guidance for manufacturers in all areas of agency responsibility are an important move towards ensuring the benefits of nanotechnology are realized without undue risk.” He adds that the FDA is nanotechnology research “starved” and calls for the need to evaluate which nano-materials are safe and which are not.
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