Is Nanotechnology Prohibited by the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions
![handle is hein.journals/berkjintlw22 and id is 287 raw text is: Is Nanotechnology Prohibited By
the Biological and Chemical
Weapons Conventions?
By
Robert D. Pinson*
INTRODUCTION
The advent of nanotechnology promises to bring extensive developments to
many aspects of our society. Because it combines physics, engineering, molecu-
lar biology, and chemistry, nanotechnology is expected to have a significant
impact on drug delivery, computing, communications, defense, space explora-
tion, and energy.' Indeed, the effect of nanotechnology on the twenty-first cen-
tury could be more significant than the combined influences of
microelectronics, medical imaging, computer-aided engineering, and man-made
polymers developed in the past century.,2 Currently, nanotechnology's greatest
short-term potential lies in the area of materials, such as polymers. Na-
notechnology improves the temperature at which plastics can be used, adds
flame retardant properties, improves tensile strength, and even increases oxida-
tion resistance.3 The fabric for stain-resistant khakis incorporates na-
notechnology and is just an early example of the many possible short-term
applications. Sensors will soon be built into all types of materials, including
gas sensors in car engines [and] toxin detectors in water supplies.4 While the
effects may be vast, many will be so seamlessly integrated into existing materi-
als as to go unnoticed.
While many industries have begun researching nanotechnology, the largest
research and development programs are funded by national governments.5 One
* Associate, Lacy, Moseley & Crossley, P.C. J.D., 2003, University of Tennessee College of
Law. B.A., 1998, Oberlin College. The author wishes to thank Professor Glenn H. Reynolds for his
guidance in pursuing this article as well as providing inspiration throughout law school.
1. Sonia E. Miller, A New Renaissance: Tech, Science, Engineering and Medicine Are Be-
coming One, N.Y. L.J., Oct. 7, 2003, at 5.
2. Kimm Groshong, Small World, Big Possibilities: Nanoscience Zooms in on Tiny Stuff of
Tomorrow's Reality, MILWAUKEE J. SENTINEL, Aug. 11, 2003, at IG (quoting a group of scientists
gathered in 1999 by the National Science Foundation).
3. Winn L. Rosch, Big Business in Small Tech: Nanotechnology Research Thrives, But Ven-
ture Capital is Hard to Come By, THE PLAIN DEALER (CLEV.), June 26, 2003, at S14.
4. Daniel Moore, D.F. Moore: Pizzazz, Panache, and a Phoenix: Materials Science and Na-
notechnology (Nov. 19, 2003), at http://dfmoore.mu.nu/archives/007027.html.
5. See Kelly Hearn, The Next Big Thing (Is Practically Invisible), CHRISTIAN Sc. MONITOR,
Mar. 24, 2003, available at http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0324/p17sO3-wmcn.htm. Na-
notechnology is on course to be the largest government-funded science project since the space race](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/berkjintlw22&div=18&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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Is Nanotechnology Prohibited by the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions
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