Alexander Anderson
New Century College
George Mason University

Ethical/Legal

Patents protect the use of Nanotechnology. An important ethical question associated with a patent, Is it is legal to change the human body, its genes, or functions? Some opponents of Artificial Organs do not believe they should be used because of natural selection or a religious belief in Gods Will. This concern could apply to all artificial enhancements and be objecting on many different levels besides religious concerns; the future of the human race and other valid health reasons. Ethical implications relate to technologies using Nanosized listening bugs or other similar devices. These new biological capabilities can also create issues in standard care, not only in our society but also in less developed countries where signal infrastructures is primitive. For instance, a pacemaker that cannot reach a synchronous signal could malfunction. This technology could also create new challenges for privacy. What if hackers or governmental agencies review or interfere with information received from someone with Bionic Eyes? These arguments against the use of Nanotechnology are similar in scope to the Abortion debate or the backlash against Human Cloning practices, even though these practices may provide useful insight for the health community should they be used ? There are also opponents against genetic modification of plants that think they are poisonous or unhealthy. The FDA has found no such health hazard findings and treats the genetically altered plants with the same health standards as traditional plants (FDA, 2014). These similar issues will continue to grow and the ethical and legal complications will lead to further conflict as supported by Miah’s article and others cited.