Let's have a debate on Nano Technology......!
Answers
Answer:There is little doubt that, in decades to come, nanotechnology could play a revolutionary role in almost every aspect of our daily lives – from healthcare to heating our homes. Young people today will be the generation most affected by the technology as it becomes ever-more prevalent, and so it is vital they understand the implications of nanotechnology and are aware of its possible uses. But what are the potential dangers involved with these new technologies? Are they open to abuse or misuse? And do the benefits outweigh the risks?
These were just some of the questions asked in a debate held at Smithycroft secondary school in Glasgow earlier this month. The discussion brought together parents, pupils and experts from industry and academia to discuss the merits and potential hazards involved in nanotechnology.
Smithycroft is one of just two UK schools to have been selected to host such an event as part of the European Commission-funded Nanochannels project, which aims to encourage public discussion and debate that will feed into policy recommendations for an EU code of conduct on governance and best practice in nanotechnologies.
The event, which was attended by pupils, parents and members of the local community, opened with a presentation from 5th-year students Nicola Ballock and Melanie Haynes, who introduced the theme of the debate: the use of nanotechnology in food packaging.
The debate heard how scientists are currently exploring how electronic sensors could be used to detect when food has gone off and alert consumers, possibly through a colour change on its packaging. Experts argue this could be a much more accurate way of ensuring food freshness than the current method of printing "use by" dates on packaging and this could also result in a reduction in food waste.
But Donald Bruce, from the scientific research consultancy Edinethics, expressed concerns over the "unintended consequences" of using nanotechnology in food packaging. He said: "The big question is: do they [the nanoparticles] stay in the package or could they go on to the food. And if they did get on to the food, would they be toxic?
Explanation:
Explanation:
If you could all get your phones out," is not a phrase you expect from a teacher but Dr Paul Hill, head of e-learning at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School, Bristol, is grinning encouragement at his assembled audience of 100-odd pupils and staff. There's a rustle as mobiles are unearthed from bags and jacket pockets; this is to be an experiment in live text-voting to see whether the the views of the collected throng change after listening to students debate the pros and cons of nanotechnology.
The motion up for discussion is: "should nanotechnology be used in medical diagnosis?" The Year 10 and 11 students, aged 14-16, ranged on each side of the argument, are about to begin marshalling the fruits of the knowledge they have gained into the possibilities that nanotechnology offers medical science. Their three-month-long adventure into the world of super-small particles – a nanometre is one billionth of a metre – has been supported by scientists from the University of Bristol; the lead for this project is Dr Annela Seddon, and pupils have also been accompanied throughout their learning journey by PhD students Sam Olaf and Tom Carvell.
There's a lot of concentrated texting from parents, pupils and staff as Hill runs through the various questions and options. It's an instantly effective way of engaging the audience with the issues, and at the end of the evening a comparison of the results before and after the debate will be projected on to a huge screen in front of us – but for now, we're all in the dark as to the audience's initial views.
Year 11 kicks off the "pros" side of the debate. Priya Abraham, 16, argues that breakthroughs in nanotechnology will mean earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment, freeing up hospital bed space. She's followed by 16-year-old Joshua Huck, whose evident enthusiasm for his subject leads to an energetic race through a list of the benefits of a breathalyser test, which uses nanotechnology to detect cancer, and treatment breakthroughs for HIV. If nano-particles can be created that will target only cancerous cells in the body, suggests Cai Burton, 16, not only will people live longer, it'll also save money on all the wasted drugs that currently cause distressing side effects.
At points, however, a fair bit is taken on trust. "If it wasn't beneficial, why would the US government be investing a billion dollars in its development?" raises a slightly hollow laugh from the audience.