Bringing nanotechnology to health care for the poor
[ 2007-03-05 10:05 ]
This is the VOA Special
English Development Report.
Nanotechnology uses matter at the
level of molecules and atoms. Researchers are finding different uses for
particles with a length of one nanometer, or one-billionth of a meter. These
include things like beauty products and dirt-resistant clothing. But one area
where many experts believe nanotechnology holds great promise is medicine.
Last week, speakers at a program in Washington discussed using nanotechnology
to improve health care in developing countries. The program took place at the
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Peter Singer at the University of Toronto says a nanotechnology called
quantum dots could be used to confirm cases of malaria. He says it could offer a
better way than the traditional process of looking at a person's blood under a
microscope.
In poor countries, this process is often not followed. As a result, sick
people may get treated for malaria even if they do not have it. Such misuse of
medicines can lead to drug resistance.
Quantum dots are particles that give off light when activated. Researchers
are studying ways to program them to identify diseases by lighting up in the
presence of a targeted molecule.
Experts say nanotechnology shows promise not just for diagnosing diseases,
but also for treating them. Piotr Grodzinski of the National Institutes of
Health talked about how nanotechnology could make drugs more effective.
He talked about cancer drugs already developed with nanotechnology. He says
if a drug can target a cancer locally in the body, then much less of it might be
needed, and that means lower side effects.
Andrew Maynard is chief scientist for the Project on Emerging
Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson Center. He noted that Brazil, India,
China and South Africa are currently doing nanotechnology research that could
help poor countries.
But he also noted that there is some risk in using nano-materials. He says
nanometer-sized particles behave differently in the body and the environment
compared to larger particles. Experts say more investment in research is needed
to better understand these risks.
And that's the VOA Special English Development Report, written by Jill Moss.
I'm Steve Ember.
nanotechnology : 納米技術
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