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The Promises and Perils of Medical Nanotechnology

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Using Medicine in Science Fiction

Part of the book series: Science and Fiction ((SCIFICT))

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Abstract

Nanotechnology involves manipulating matter at the scale of atoms and molecules. More specifically it deals with materials and devices with sizes in the range of 1–100 nanometers (nm, 1 nanometer = 1 × 10−9 m), as well as processes operating at that level.) Many molecules within the human body fall within that range of sizes. For example, proteins have dimensions between 1 to 20 nm, the width of a DNA helix is about 2.5 nm, and even ribosomes, the protein-constructing organelles within cells, have diameters of about 2–4 nm. Indeed, our bodies are living models of “natural” nanotechnology in action.

To see a world in a grain of sand…

William Blake

“Auguries of Innocence”

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The novelization of this film was created by an author with some prior experience writing science fiction, one “Isaac Asimov.”

  2. 2.

    Although they look nothing like the one shown in the movie, modern medicine does sometimes employ lasers as part of a catheter system to help destroy plaque and blood clots in blocked arteries. Effective “thrombolytic” medications are also available for this purpose. Unfortunately miniaturized submarines are not yet part of standard medical practice.

  3. 3.

    Analog Science Fiction and Fact July/August 2012.

  4. 4.

    However, unlike the Borg I was not practicing medicine without a license when I did it.

  5. 5.

    Drexler has given an updated assessment of the potentials of nanotechnology in a more recent book, Radical Abundance. How a Revolution in Nanotechnology Will Change Civilization (2013).

  6. 6.

    This capability would make them, at least in one sense of the term, what have been called “von Neumann machines.”

  7. 7.

    Another “health benefit” of gold nanoparticles might also be as an effective defense against attacks by Cybermen, as suggested by the Doctor Who serials “Revenge of the Cybermen” (1975) and “Earthshock” (1982).

  8. 8.

    See Chap. 12 for more details about gene therapy.

  9. 9.

    Chapter 14 will describe the current status of such interfaces.

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  1. Springfield, Missouri, USA

    H. G. Stratmann

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Stratmann, H. (2016). The Promises and Perils of Medical Nanotechnology. In: Using Medicine in Science Fiction. Science and Fiction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16015-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16015-3_11

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