Budny 10:00 T/Th, Group R13
NANOTECHNOLOGY: THE ETHICS OF ROBOTIC MEDICINE
Trevor Leong (trl27@pitt.edu)
without you ever knowing you were sick” [3]. These
nanobots would do so by monitoring the body for irregular
conditions. All medical conditions carry a “biochemical
signature” [3]. These machines would respond to the
signature by releasing a corresponding medicine. This is
potentially life changing; imagine a world without worries
like cancer or even the common cold, all these problems
eliminated by the constant monitoring of nanobots. The
benefits of a technology like this are that the body can be
constantly monitored, and diseases and other maladies may
be treated almost instantaneously, leading to reduced fatality
rates. Of course, there’s nothing to stop the machines from
malfunctioning once inserted into the body, but I believe that
these problems can be minimized the same way that we have
minimized them with pacemakers and the like. The small
size of the machines renders their malfunction mostly
harmless.
Another use for these nanobots in the same vein is one
that utilizes already familiar technology to deal with cancer.
A “nanoparticle” (read, nanobot) developed in the
University of North Carolina’s labs shows “potential for a
more effective delivery of chemotherapy” [4]. This nanobot
shows increased capacity for drugs and improved leakage
control, building on the achievements of the previous
nanobots from the IEEE article. This is a significant
development in the year that has transpired since the IEEE
article. It ensures that the nanobots require less maintenance,
last longer, and thus decrease health risk if they malfunction.
This only increases the feasibility of using nanobots to
further medical research and treatment. However, these
qualities can still be improved. This is an engineer’s job, to
make and improve technologies that provide innovative and
efficient solutions to existing and future problems.
ACTING ETHICALLY IN ENGINEERING
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
provides a “code of ethics” for all who are seeking to
become or have already become engineers. Engineers are
bound morally to uphold this code of ethics. [1] Therefore,
as a prospective engineer, it is my own moral duty to
determine whether or not my own ambitions fall inside the
bounds of the code. Should an engineer fail to comply with
one or more of the ethical guidelines, the consequences
could be disastrous. The over-arching message of code of
ethics is that engineers are supposed to hold the interests of
the public first, and also to reinforce a positive reputation for
all engineers [1].
If engineers instead act in their own self-interests
instead of working to preserve the public’s rights and
desires, an engineer could potentially usurp and warp
science in such a way that they benefit from the downfall of
others. This could be like a mechanical engineer using
shoddy equipment to construct parts that end up endangering
and even killing human lives. Alternately, an engineer that
destroys the reputation of all engineers will cause mistrust
and eventual destruction of the engineering profession by
discouraging future students from ever pursuing engineering
degrees. It is therefore imperative that engineers comply
with the code of ethics.
In the previous paper, I discussed the “Grand
Challenge” of “Engineering Better Medicine” [2]. I stated
that I found this particular challenge alluring because I
wanted to use my engineering degree to expand upon and
improve current medicinal means. I believe this challenge is
important because it seeks to expand the ability of modern
medicine to save more human lives and allow improved
quality of life. Many research groups currently attempt to
field new technologies in medicine, but I find the
nanotechnology ventures the most fascinating; they deal
with the human body on a level that is microscopic, which is
as close to the source of all medical problems as possible. I
believe that once we can cut off problems at the source,
medicine becomes much more efficient. This, of course,
prompts the question of how ethical this specific type of
medicine would be.
IMPROVING HEALTHCARE WITH ROBOTS
The “nanobots”, as they are currently designed, would be
injected into the human body to perform a specific task, such
as performing scans and ensuring that the body is operating
within normal parameters, or administering a pre-specified
dose of medicine periodically to a particular problem spot
(via self-contained vials) [3]. Due to the “biochemical
signature” given off by different medical conditions,
nanobots would be able to report anomalies and potential
threats to the body to a doctor or other monitoring specialist.
The main question is, does this type of medicine violate the
code of ethics for both engineers in general, and
bioengineers? Upon examining both codes myself, I can say
that I believe this type of medicine is well within the
boundaries of the codes of ethics. Biomedical engineers are
called upon to “consider the larger consequences of their
work in regard to cost, availability, and delivery of health
NANOMEDICINE AND THE FUTURE OF HEALING
It would first be instructive to detail what exactly
nanotechnology is. One of the most recently toted uses for
nanotechnology is one that I believe will demonstrate the
capacity this technology has for bettering mankind. This is a
new technology recently developed involving little robots
called “nanobots”. An article in IEEE Spectrum states that
the “biomolecular machines might someday make you well
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
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Submitted: November 1, 2011
Trevor Leong
care” [6]. With regards to the nanobots, I think that they
would greatly increase both availability and delivery of
health care, while decreasing overall costs. Additionally, this
type of medicine does not attempt to “deceive the public”,
but instead strives to “serve the public interest” [1].
pressing issue in today’s society. These technologies do not
just provide some benefit to a specific group of people, such
as that of access to clean water, but to all people in general;
every person will benefit from improved medicine. That’s
why it is important to focus on this particular “Grand
Challenge” [2]. I believe that the best way to fulfill this
challenge is through the research of nanotechnology, but
there are many other equally valid ways to further medicine.
However, I think that the future of medicine rests primarily
in nanomedicine; eventually, all medicine will rely on the
robots smaller than we can see.
WHY ETHICAL STUDIES MATTER
Ethical dilemmas are no new problem for science. Every
scientific controversy from stem cell research to testing new
products on animals falls under ethical scrutiny. Questions
arise on how to act humanely, how to ensure the protection
of basic human rights, and how to protect the average person
from being an unwilling tool of science. It is important for
the potential engineer to study these cases and examine for
himself or herself whether or not their engineering ambitions
protect these things. This would allow the engineer to
develop a moral guide on their actions in the engineering
field, and also to have a position on certain ethical dilemmas
which is grounded in a common ethical viewpoint.
Personally, many of my ethical beliefs are justified due to
my religious views; it is possible that studying engineering
ethics would aid someone in understanding the importance
of ethics just as much as my religion does. Engineers that act
and think ethically will more easily follow the code of
ethics, and also will think of the common good before their
own.
CHALLENGES AND ETHICS: THE FRESHMAN
RESEARCH
Researching the challenge of engineering better medicine
and the ethical ramifications of this engineering have led me
to believe that ethical constraints are better in the long run
for prospective engineers to study. The Grand Challenges
offer a great opportunity to see what the pressing issues of
our generation are, but there is a flip-side to this coin. I have
found that although my personal ambition to engineer better
medicine does not conflict with any ethical standpoint, there
are some challenges that do, such as nuclear
technology/weaponry and the like. I believe other students
would benefit from studying the code of ethics and
determining for themselves based on the guidelines what is
truly ethical. This will strengthen the moral character of
other engineers to come, and hopefully halt any moral
depravity that has come to light in recent years in terms of
scientific advancement.
WHY WE SHOULD CONTINUE RESEARCHING
NANOMEDICINE
The problem with the current system of medicine is that
most of is it purely reactive. We identify problems when
patients come in with symptoms, and we prescribe cures or
treatments. The body also generally does not react well to
medical procedures; the procedures “do not work in
harmony with our natural systems” [5]. I believe that if we
improve this nanomedicine, then the future of medicine will
be much more proactive. With the ability to detect and
eliminate threats before they become serious, these nanobots
could very well become a standard in medicine. I think that
they would eliminate the need for constant injections, such
as those that patients with diabetes receive. This technology
could also be used to repair physical damage, such as one
might receive from trauma, and thus eliminate many of the
problems that hemophiliacs face. [5] Nanobots are not
limited to metal parts either. Researchers have recently
found a way to create a functioning, programmable machine
out of DNA. [2] With this organic type of medicine,
nanomedicine will be much easier for the body to cope with
and use; patients won’t suffer as much from the body’s
immune system reacting as the nanobots administer
medicine.
As far as engineering goes, nanomedicine is a
wonderful application of modern-day engineering to a very
ETHICAL SCIENCE
Science has always been key in advancing the state of
human technology and culture, whether or not it is ethically
sound. Had we not perfected weaponry, perhaps our society
would be far more peaceful, but that is a question that cannot
be answered by science. Truly, science is a tool, to be used
for good or for evil. The result is up to the user, and that is
why I believe ethics in engineering is so important; I believe
that if we have a strong ethical standpoint, we can use
science to do amazing things for mankind. All we need are
the guidelines.
REFERENCES
[1] (2011). “NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers.” National Society of
Professional
Engineers.
[Online:
Website].
Available:
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
[2] (2011). “Introduction to the Grand Challenges for Engineering.”
National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges for Engineering.
[Online:
Website].
Available:
http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9221.aspx
[3] W.D. Jones. (2010, December). “DNA Robot Could Deliver Cancer
Drugs.”
IEEE
Spectrum.
[Online:
Website].
Available:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/robotics/medical-robots/dna-robot-could-deliver-
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Trevor Leong
cancer-drugs
[4] (2011, September). “Potential of new nanoparticle design for cancer
therapy demonstrated.” Science Daily. [Online: Website]. Available:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920103825.htm
[5] (2009, July). “How Nanobots Can Repair Damaged Tissue.”
Introduction to Nanotechnology. [Online: Website] Available:
http://nanogloss.com/nanobots/how-nanobots-can-repair-damagedtissue/#axzz1Zltb8NxZ
[6] (2004, February). “Biomedical Engineering Society Code of Ethics.”
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
H. Fountain. (2009, November). “Sending Drugs to Specific Spots in a Tiny
Cage.” The New York Times. [Online: Website] Available:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/science/03obcage.html?ref=nanotechn
ology
R. A. Freitas Jr. (2005). “Current State of Nanomedicine and Medical
Nanorobotics.” Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience.
[Online:
Website]
Available:
http://www.nanomedicine.com/Papers/NMRevMar05.pdf
(2008, February). “How Many Grand Challenges Are Really Policy
Challenges?” The New York Times. [Online: Website] Available:
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/how-many-grandengineering-challenges-are-really-policy-challenges/
(2011, January). “Nanotech medicine to rebuild damaged parts of the
human body.” Science Daily. [Online: Website] Available:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110118092140.htm
J. Newman. (2011, March). “The Human Heart Could Power Gadgets of the
Future.”
Time
Magazine.
[Online:
Website]
Available:
http://techland.time.com/2011/03/30/human-heart-could-power-gadgets-ofthe-future/
S. Unger. (2010). “Responsibility in Engineering: Victor Paschkis vs.
Werner von Braun.” IT Professional. [Online article]. 12 (3), pp. 6-7.
Available: DOI 10.1109/MITP.2010.94
D. Halber. (2011). “Minuscule Medical Monitors.” Massachusetts Institute
of Technology. [Online article] Available: http://spectrum.mit.edu/wpcontent/images/2011-fall/spectrum-2011-fall-web.pdf
Z.G. Wang, J. Elbaz, F. Remacle, R.D. Levine, and I Willner. (2010,
October). “All-DNA Finite-State Automata With Finite Memory.” National
Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. [Online: Website]
Available:
http://www.pnas.org/content/107/51/21996.abstract?sid=fb0e84d1-2eac4a42-9cd3-a5f441e8448f
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge Professor Dan Budny for being
my teacher in Engineering Analysis and providing ideas for
engineering topics. I would also like to thank Jack Pidgeon
for providing support throughout the writing of this paper.
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