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Technology
Weaponization
Current Nanotechnology
Here, we will be discussing the current progress for nanotechnology and then our scientific predictions for the future of nanotechnolgy
While technology has brought about many benefits and has truly helped to advance society, there are always risks involved. Nanotechnology has a whole world of potential, but it has the possibility of being misused and it could cause great harm. Now is the time to investigate the pros and cons of nanotechnology in the military and discuss the possible weaponization of this new and upcoming technology. Would the benefits outweigh the risks? A fear that comes with this technology is the invasion of privacy, how the widespread use with entail no privacy, which would violate basic rights. Another fear is in the weaponization, and what potential damage they could inflict. “Special dangers to arms control and stability may arise from new biological weapons and microrobots” (Jürgen 61). Currently, the military is investing a significant amount of time and resources into nanotechnology and hoping to apply it to all aspects of the military. Many hope that if it is accepted in the military that society will accept it as well, however, this is a serious threat to privacy and safety and people do not support it yet.
Future Technology
We are at the beginning of a nanotechnology revolution. We are at a transition point where all aspects of our lives will begin to be affected by Nanotechnology. One major part of this evolution is how nanotechnology will affect war, weapons, and how we do battle. Even now military programs are making futuristic weapons that function on nanotechnologies like laser machines and spy drones (Nasu). We are still furthering our uses of nanotechnology, learning how to build smaller and smaller things with nanotech. Recently scientists have developed an invisibility cloak using nanotechnology and that is only the beginning of its possible uses. While we are trying to make all sorts of new things we need to remember that this technology could be weaponized. One of the leading theories of the risks of nanotech is the “Gray Goo” scenario, where molecular nanotechnology self-replicates until it consumes all matter on earth (Kurzweil). The possibilities of nanotechnology are endless but it is up to us humans to decide how they will be used.
This is what "gray goo could" look like
