1.

How do you think nanotechnology will affect the economy in terms of jobs in
the near future? How do you predict the unemployment rate in Canada will
change?
Thats a good question! First, Ill start off by explaining what nanotechnology (and,
as it is closely related, nanotechnology engineering) is; the correct definition
greatly factors into this explanation. Nanotechnologies are things (materials,
devices, etc.) at a very small scale specifically the nanoscale (1 nanometer to 100
nanometers usually). A nanoparticle is a nanoscale particulate object. For reference,
one nanometer is a billionth of a meter as one centimeter is a hundredth of a meter
and one millimeter is a thousandth of a meter. Its nearly impossible for the human
brain to actually comprehend how small a nanometer is. (A water molecule is about
0.275 nanometers in diameter).
Here are two analogies: (1) the Earth to a basketball is the same ratio as a
basketball to a nanoparticle; (2) if you took a Timbit and divided it up equally for
each person in Canada, itd still be a bit larger than a nanoparticle.
Getting back to the definition: nanotechnologies are things that have been designed
with nanoscale dimensions (nanotechnology engineering is the engineering
processes behind forming these nanotechnologies). Notice that this definition is a
very general one. In other words, nanotechnology is not confined to a single subject
or field. There are nanobiotechnologies, nanomaterials, nanoelectronics,
nanophotonics, etc. All of these listed fields and more are seeing rapid and
significant developments through the introduction of many different
nanotechnologies. And, Canada is leading some of these nanotechnological
developments.
So, to answer your question in a simple manner, a great number of nanotechnologies
will come into the market in the near future in a variety of areas (structural
materials, health care, electronics and much, much more). These products will
replace old ones and have the potential to change the very nature of our economy
(altering supply chains, inventing new industries, etc.). Of note, many of these
products will be raised from start-up companies. As their products grow, so will
those start-ups, which should increase the number of jobs in a diverse selection of
areas. Hopefully, this will lead to a reduction in unemployment in Canada!
A general answer to why nanotechnology is so attractive and has so much buzz :
Nanotechnologies have properties that are generally unique from their bulk
counterparts. For example, at the bulk scale, gold is, well, simply the colour gold.
Gold nanoparticles, however, can be any colour in the rainbow! (I wont go into the
phenomenon that enables this)
A lot of the times these properties are desirable and can lead to very promising
products. Very seldom are these properties undesirable (see answer to Q3).

2. Is using nanotechnology to create more effective drugs more cost efficient

than the traditional process to create drugs? If so, in what ways?
This is actually a very complex question that varies case by case. But, in many
cases, yes, it can create more cost effective pharmaceutical products. One
application of nanotechnology into therapy is using nanoparticles to package and
deliver drugs to their site of action. A hollow nanoparticle, for example, can be
loaded with drugs inside. The outside of that nanoparticle can be functionalized
with ligands that are specific for a target. For example, the ligand can be an
antibody specific to tumor cells. So, when the drug-loaded nanoparticles are added
to the circulatory system, the package stays together until it binds to tumor cells.
Then, nearly all of the drug can be released to the tumor cells. This contrasts
conventional chemotherapy, which is relatively non-targeted and affects an entire
area. So, using the nanotechnology-based method can lead to lower adverse effects,
as non-tumor cells (healthy) are less affected by drug. In addition, this means that
less drug has to be used since the drug goes to where it is needed; there is not
additional drug affecting non-tumor cells.
3. Can nanotechnology be a threat to human civility if it advances further than
we can control. If so, in what ways?
I am assuming you mean civilization rather than civility ( formal politeness and
courtesy in behavior or speech).
If youre referring to the grey goo scenario, then definitely not. This is not
possible thermodynamically or kinetically. So, theres no realistic self-propagating
mechanism whereby a nanotechnology can advance further than we can control.
Moreover, artificial intelligence at the nanoscale is not even an area of research and
not plausible for anything even close to consciousness.
However, like with any new material or technology, if certain nanotechnologies are
not disposed of correctly or not comprehensively studied, then it can adversely
affect the environment and/or health. Like batteries, some nanotechnologies will
have to be disposed of correctly. Many nanotechnologies are engineered to be
completely biocompatible. A small number of nanotechnologies can lead to adverse
health effects, however. For example, certain forms of carbon nanotubes (certainly
not all forms) are carcinogenic exhibiting asbestos-like carcinogenicity. These
nanotechnologies need to be well-studied and either not used or modified such that
they are no longer carcinogenic.
Nanotechnology can change by the way of progress civilization (better
treatments for diseases, faster computer chips, cheaper products so that the less
fortunate and those abroad can have access, etc.). Otherwise, people would not be as
interested in the products. But, any changes to the cultural or even anthropomorphic

aspects of civilization will not be due to the nanotechnologies themselves. These

will be complex sociological phenomena that have little to do with a specific
nanotechnology.