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Nanotechnology is measured in billionths
of a meter, encompassing all aspects of life from food to medicine,
clothing, to space. Imagine hundreds of microcomputers on the width of a
strand of hair programmed for specific tasks....in your body. Sound
good?
Engineering at a molecular level may be a future corporations' dream come true, however, nano-particles inside your body have few long-term studies especially when linked to health issues. Despite this new huge income-generating field there is a growing body of toxicological information suggesting that nanotechnology when consumed can cause brain damage (as shown in largemouth bass), and therefore should undergo a full safety assessment.
It is possible for nano-particles to slip
through the skin, suggestive of a potential unnatural interaction with
the immune system, or when micro particles enter the blood-stream. Some sunscreens on the shelf today,
for instance, have nano-particles that might be able to penetrate the
skin, move between organs, with unknown health effects. Nano-particles
in cosmetics have few regulations done by FDA.
Regulators are proposing that food
companies that want to use tiny engineered particles in their packaging
may have to provide extra testing data to show the products are safe.
The Food and Drug Administration issued
tentative guidelines Friday for food and cosmetic companies interested
in using nanoparticles, which are measured in billionths of a meter.
Nanoscale materials are generally less than 100 nanometers in diameter. A
sheet of paper, in comparison, is 100,000 nanometers thick. A human
hair is 80,000 nanometers thick.
Thomas Faunce, of the Australian National
University, who holds an Australian Research Council fellowship that
looks at public nanotechnology health issues, said study's findings are
significant and strengthens the case for mandatory labeling, and that
stringent safety data should be required from manufacturers.'' Research
is showing that nano-particles have the capacity to damage living cells and the precautionary principle should be applied,'' he said.
In 2005, The Helmut Kaiser Consultancy
Group, global leaders in pro-nanotechnology, stated that about 300
nano-food products were available on the market worldwide estimating
that market alone was worth 5.4 billion dollars in the USA. That was
then.
By 2015, (just a few years away) they predict that nanotechnology will be used in 40% of
the food industries. According to these consultants, by 2040,
nano-produced food, with correct nutritional composition, maintaining
the same taste and texture of organically produced food, will be
commonplace, the norm.
It is clear that nanotechnology is already in the in some food and cosmetics, (including anti aging products and sunscreens).
'Smart' packaging and tracking, is ubiquitous. Invisible, (to the naked
eye and some microscopes), edible nano-wrappers, complete with bar
codes can track not only early spoilage, but improve the taste of food,
or, whatever is called food. Manufacturers are excited because
the availability of food would no longer be affected by limited
resources, bad crop weather, water problems, etc. A modern way to feed
the world.
Oh, don't expect an informative label on
nano-particles in your products. Although marketers are thrilled to
present benefits to make wrinkles vanish, or illuminate skin flawlessly,
there are health and unknown downsides.
Where is the public debate, on the
labeling of nano particles in your foods, or cosmetics, or the risks?
Probably no where...Political leaders are still arguing on requiring GMO
(genetically modified) labeling, it seems.
When lab rats are starved, and given a choice to eat organic potatoes or GMO,
they go right to the organic. When only given the GMO potato they will
eat it, or starve to death... (studies have shown severe damage
subsequently). What do rats know?
So the next time you reach for something
that say's 'smart'...think about what that means. Learn what you can
about the source of what you put in, or on your body. Smart mini micro
computers to control your skin and body fluids?
Source: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/
http://worldtruth.tv
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