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The 2011 Hollywood science fiction thriller, Limitless, chronicles the life of Eddie Mora,
a struggling, lethargic, unmotivated author who also happens to be suffering from the most
common writer’s disease, writer’s block. In fact, his condition is so bad that even his girlfriend,
Lindy, who has somehow been able to put up with his lack of progress for several years, finally
decides to take the plunge to end her relationship with him. On one eventful day, Mora meets a
supplier, who incidentally happens to be his ex-brother-in-law. That respective supplier hooks
him up with a black-market miracle drug or a nootropic, which somehow, later has a beneficial
impact on not only his social life, but also on the work front too. Nootropics are basically smart
drugs that have similar effects to the mind which nanotechnology powered drugs also have on
the mind. Examples of certain areas in the brain which nootropics can improve, are those that
deal with managing cognitive functions, particularly the executive functions such as memory,
creativity, and motivation in average healthy individuals. Once Mora intakes the drug, his life
ultimately transforms for the better. For instance, not only does Mora’s book which went through
a long gestation finally get published, but he also starts running for the Senate, manages to
become wealthy due to large returns from repeated investments in the stock market, and even
gets his old girlfriend back in the process. However, the drug also happens to be illegal, and this
plays an adverse impact with Mora when it comes to ethics, as it was illegally manufactured.
When viewing this story, one can imagine how impactful a nanotechnology powered drug can be
to an everyday unemployed youth’s life. Limitless was apparently based on a 2001 novel, The
Dark Fields, which was apparently conceived from the information Alan Glynn (the author of
The Dark Fields) had possessed when he researched information on the increase in performance-
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enhancing drug usage for sports in the 1990’s. Coming back to the film, after witnessing the
series of ethical roadblocks the character went through, my mind started to question the
Fortunately for the industry, nanotechnology has several users around the world, besides
Eddie Mora. About 0.7% to 4.5% of German students have used cognitive enhancers throughout
their lifetime and they even happen to be popular among several college students, for the primary
include methylphenidate and amphetamine, which are known to improve working and episodic
memory, inhibitory control, aspects of attention and planning in normal individuals. Several
athletes and celebrities use steroids that are produced by nanoparticles in order to not only
improve their respective performance, but also for their physique. As of lately, I have been
questioning the reliability of nanotechnology, owing to its various flirtations with the law as well
as its mild to detrimental positive and negative impacts on the health of an average earthling.
involves building technical equipment through manipulation of atomic material and this field has
been rapidly growing since the advent of the 21st century. In fact the industry has become very
influential that even PMC, the US National Library of Medicine, has described the
Revolution” (As of now, according to the analysis “This is Nanotechnology - One of the Fastest
Growing Markets in the World”, written by Dr. Muhammad Adeel Irfan and published by GAEU
Consulting, the nanotechnology industry is stated to be one of the rapidly growing markets
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internationally at the moment, primarily because the industry offers “great potential and
advancements for society” (Dr. Irfan, 1). According to Dr. Irfan, nanotechnology has a variety of
practical applications to it, and examples of areas where it can be applied, include: medicine,
food & cosmetics, human & environmental health, and not to mention, technology & industry.
Nanotechnology has had such a widespread impact in developed countries, that as of last year,
even developing countries have been thinking of adopting nanotechnology treatments to solve
their respective environmental related problems, notably water scarcity. For instance, India has
been thinking of adopting nanoscale solutions made from carbon nanotubes for water
purification. Through this method, harmful particles such as viruses, bacteria, toxic metal ions
will not be allowed free passes through interiors, whereas miniscule water molecules will be
permitted. As of now, China, United States, India, Iran and South Korea occupy the top five
incidentally happens to be a brief published by the Foresight Nanotech Institute and written by
Jacob Heller and Christine Peterson, nanotechnology for whatever controversial enhancements it
is bound to produce, can positively change one’s life. Examples of such so-called enhancements
despite being unnatural, include “extreme intelligence and memory capacity, significantly
heightened sense of awareness, astonishing athletic capability and strength, and beauty
enhancements” (Heller & Peterson). The advantages of nanotechnology are apparently beneficial
to the extent that it has the potential to mark “the end of pain, disease, and aging” (Heller &
Peterson, 1). To sum it up in simple English, the quotes made by the authors Heller and Peterson
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in this respective report, basically indicate that nanotechnology can change the face of earth in
the sense that it can eradicate several problems faced in daily life. Nanotechnology not only
works miracles on one’s brain, but it also affects their physical and emotional health. Besides
functioning with humans, nanotechnology has also been known to aid in the creation of materials
used in daily life. Examples of these materials include those related with construction, clothing,
and certain medicine such as antibiotics. However, despite inducing a promising outlook on life,
enhancement of a few parts of their brain. For instance, nanoparticle known as donepezil which
relaxing the brain, has been proven in a 2014 study in the United States, that one digestion of a
nanoparticle can prove to modestly benefit cognition and behavior. Donepezils have the potential
to prevent one from acquiring Alzheimer’s disease, primarily because they enhance not only the
memory but also the retention of items. Ampakines, which are benzamide compounds – another
family of nanoparticles, have been proven to augment alertness, sustain attention span, assist in
learning and memory, and even excite the brain, which incidentally prevents one from acquiring
depression or even remembering traumas that lead to anxiety-related stress disorders such as
Entry”, written by Irani students from Tehran: Sepehr Ghazinoori, Fatemeh Salehi Yazdi, and
Ali Mohammad Soltani, nanotechnology has somehow positively impacted the employment
sector in Iran, as apparently, “more than 60 startup companies have been established in the field
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of nanotechnology in Iran” (11). Several nanotechnology related product lines have been
launched too, and examples of these products include: anti-stain men’s wear, low-emission
glasses for buildings, long-lasting traffic paints and anti-bacterial wound sprays. These products
are eventually created using nano-materials such as zinc oxide which aids in inner wear and
medical textiles. Zinc oxide nanoparticles attached with soluble starch have the potential to
create applications such as certain textiles and sunscreens that aid in blocking ultraviolet.
Aerogel, a lightweight nanoparticle produced by silica plays a crucial role in the creation of low-
emission glasses for buildings. Titanium dioxide, another nanoparticle, aids in crating long-
lasting traffic paints. Silver-based nanoparticles are used for the formation of anti-bacterial
wound sprays, which have proven to be effective in healing wounds within short time periods.
Besides the textile industry, nanotechnology has also been known to aid in medical
treatments. For instance, certain nuclear nanoparticles with magnetism aids in medical imaging
methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for MRI (Magnetic Resonance
Imaging) scans. According to a research in 2017, nanomedicines have the capacity to increase
absorbability of drugs in the sense that the respective drug that was ingested for therapy can
remain active in the body thanks to these respective nanomedicines. Solid tumors, which contain
characteristics such as leaky blood vessels can be solved through the use of nanomedicines in the
sense that nanomedicines being the small particles they are, are perfect for retaining the
respective chemicals released from leaked blood vessels into the affected tissue.
rheumatoid arthritis.
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Nanotechnology does sure seem to be something that can seem highly advantageous.
However, like any person, place, and thing in the world, nanotechnology does have its flaws too.
Though nanotechnology has its share of advantages, several concerns have not only been
cited by the media but also by several researchers as well and the only roadblock that prevents it
from being a wide scale industry is its safety concerns. According to the UCLA’s school of
Public Health, intake of nanoparticles has been shown to have several detrimental effects on
one’s physical health and were practically “linked to all the big killers of man, namely cancer,
heart disease, neurological disease and aging” (Amid Nanotech’s Dazzling Promise, Health
Risks Grow). Nanotechnology has also been known to cause several lung-related diseases and
apparently has “the potential to cause mesothelioma” (Weiss, 1). Mesothelioma is a rare but an
aggressive form of cancer, which induces symptoms such as cough, chest pain and shortness of
breath. Apparently, nanoparticles have the capability of being as harmful as asbestos, another
This even applies to steroids too, as steroids, like nanotechnology, give quick results only
to lead to a thunderous downfall within a short span of time. Many A-lister celebrities in
Hollywood are apparently known to use steroids to acquire a bulky physique within short time
periods, which incidentally leads to a thunderous downfall that strikes the person in a similar
way how meteors strike planet Earth. In fact, Dwayne Johnson also known as the Rock, a
popular Hollywood entertainer and actor as well as a former World Wrestling Entertainment
wrestler, admitted to steroid intake since the age of eighteen. Johnson stated how steroid use has
the capability “to negate the hard work you put in” (Jonathan Salmon). Even internationally
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renowned bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Cutler, have admitted to steroid
use in their respective prime, as they had to maintain their respective muscles.
Besides its negative impacts on human health, nanotechnology has a potential chance of
adversely affecting the environment, economy, privacy and security. For instance, there are
possibilities of the hazardous entries of nanotechnology powered toxins and pollutants into the
environment. Now how will it affect the economy? Well, according to the author of the article,
nanotechnology has the potential to “result in job losses” (Edwards, 1) owing to potential
changes in the manufacturing process of the average industry soon. Nanotechnology powered
devices also have the potential to invade the average human’s privacy in the fact that there lie
quite a few possibilities to the invention of “microscopic recording devices, which would be
virtually undetectable” (Edwards, 1). Nanotechnology can also affect the security of people in
the sense that a recent invention in smart bullets, computerized bullets that can be monitored and
aimed at accurately, has the potential of not only working wonders for the military, but can also
fall into the “wrong hands” (Edwards, 1), or in other words, terrorists.
Another concern with nanotechnology falls into the financial sector. For instance, the
nanotechnology industry sells materials at high costs. In 2008, according to the British
newspaper, Business News, the food industry which claimed to contain food and products that
contain particles with “anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties” (Sarah Britton)
proved to be highly expensive for its respective customers, despite its promises to “keep food
safer, fresher, healthier, and tastier” (Sarah Britton). This incident can especially prove to be
resourceful for aspiring businessmen and business students, as this illustrates how high prices
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can work against the demand of a product despite its fair share of promises dealing with making
a beneficial impact to the world. The excessive costs involved in not only nanoparticle related
production, but also in the business, adversely affect the demand and availability of those
products for its respective consumers to purchase. Though the wealthy upper classes can afford
nanomaterial products, the same cannot be said for those living in undesirable conditions or even
for the average middle-class family. Nanotechnology also does face competition from the GMO
(Genetically Modified Organisms) industry, in the sense that some people seem to prefer it as a
safer alternative when compared to nanotechnology, in the sense that genetically modified
organisms, namely plants, animals and microorganisms with an altered anatomy, do not have the
Final Thoughts
My personal take towards this issue is somewhat biased given the fact that I am what one
would call, “mentally impaired”. I must say that I am not a big advocate of nanotechnology-
powered drug intake into the human body, owing to my experiences with Concerta intake. Yes,
these sorts of mind-altering drugs do a terrific task in improving the mind, and examples of
positive side effects I had encountered, included: an increasingly alert mind, boosted
productivity, decreased hyperactivity, and an organized framework and thought process. And
yes, my academic and social life did improve to a major extent. And why am I against it? Well,
some of the side effects I encountered, included serious conditions such as insomnia, increased
acne, eye spasms and drug dependency. Periodical intake proved to be worse, and whenever I
took the drug on weekends, my brain often felt fried and this was only a small sign which
Based on the evidence I have gathered, nanotechnology, despite all its benefits, also has
its fair share of disadvantages. To speak for the best interest of every aspiring “Leonardo Da
Vinci” or “Albert Einstein” around the world, it is best if they resort to natural rather than
artificial and technical methods for improving their intelligence. Physical exercise for example is
one method that has been proven to work wonders towards the brain’s attention span and
thinking capacity, and neglecting that over nanotechnology is not a good sign for things to come
soon. Examples of the various effects, plain physical exercise can do, include: mood
improvement, weight loss, muscle strength improvement, energy level increase, and memory
improvements to name a few. Yes, it does take longer than nanotechnology, but despite the
heavy price one must pay with arduous, exhausting physical activity, and other than minor
fatigue in a few areas in the body, physical exercise doesn’t at least make people suffer from side
effects that can hamper your body and can only be possible through regular intake of
nanotechnology-powered drugs. It is time people realized how more important lengthy, arduous
hard work is when compared to shortcut routes, as well as the various amount of benefits hard
work has, especially when it comes to sustaining solid, consistent efforts in the long run. One
main important principle I learned, was that every industry despite its promising nature, has
flaws when you dive deeper inside to the structure. As stated before, this applies to not only
business, but even to human beings and places around the world.
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Works Cited
“Global Nanotechnology Market Outlook 2015-2020 – Industry Will Grow to Reach US$ 75.8
2015, www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-nanotechnology-industry-
“Iran Ranks 4th in Nanotechnology Worldwide.” Tehran Times, Tehran Times, 1 Feb. 2018,
www.tehrantimes.com/news/420885/Iran-ranks-4th-in-nanotechnology-worldwide.
https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2008/05/19/High-cost-of-nanotechnology-
Frati P, Kyriakou C, Del Rio A, Marinelli E, Vergallo GM, Zaami S, Busardó FP (January
2015). “Smart drugs and synthetic androgens for cognitive and physical enhancement:
8 Nov. 2018.
Gwinn, Maureen R., and Val Vallyathan. “Nanoparticles: Health Effects – Pros and Cons.”
Environmental Health Perspectives, vol.114, no. 12, 18 Aug. 2006., pp. 1818-1825.,
Heller, Jacob, and Christine Peterson. “Human Enhancement and Nanotechnology.” Foresight
Irfan, Muhamad Adeel. “This Is Nanotechnology – One of the Fastest Growing Markets in the
www.gaeu.com/item/this-is-nanotechnology-one-of-the-fastest-growing-markets-in-the-
Macaulay, Scott. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS, Filmmaker Magazine, 2011. Accessed 8 Nov.
2018
Salmon, Jonathan. “Dwayne Johnson Comes Clean on Steroid Use | Generation Iron.”
Generation Iron Fitness & Bodybuilding Network, Generation Iron Fitness Network, 12
2018
Semeco, Ariene. “The Top 10 Benefits of Regular Exercise.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 10
Schneider, Andrew (March 24, 2010) "Amid Nanotech's Dazzling Promise, Health Risks
2018.
Swan, Melanie. “Nanomedical Cognitive Enhancement.” Institute for Ethics and Emerging
Weiss, Rick. “Effects of Nanotubes May Lead to Cancer, Study Says.” The Washington Post,
dyn/content/article/2008/05/20/AR2008052001331.html?hpid=sec-