Double Edged Sword Example Essay Example

Double Edged Sword Example Paper The evolution of the world and its civilizations is galvanized by continual scientific and technological progress, which is brought about by the vast reservoir of knowledge that humankind has gained over the centuries in countless attempts to quench their insatiable thirst for the ultimate key that will unlock all the secrets of life. In the last few decades, men and women of science who are determined to fully unveil the mysteries of the universe were already able to take evolution to a whole new level—one that is closer to its culmination. They were able to discover the amazing ability of defying nature and manipulating those which holds the code to the individual characteristics of every living organism: genes. Genetic engineering, or gene manipulation, was once but a very popular element of science fictions and films; now, it has been lifted off the pages and television screens, and has become a reality that can actually help humanity overcome many of its imperfections. However, as this truth shows only a small part of the big picture, the capability of modifying the biological makeup of organisms has generated conflicting views from society. It is best to acknowledge the fact that while recent breakthroughs have presented us with unforeseen promises, they have, at the same time, given us complex predicaments. The educational film DNA: The Promise and the Price introduces the viewers to four immensely powerful molecular biology techniques that may just as well decide the world’s future. With genetic engineering still in its premature stage, only time can tell whether its potential to improve medical technologies—and, subsequently, human lives—outweighs all the socio-ethical, political, and health repercussions that come with it. We will write a custom essay sample on Double Edged Sword Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Double Edged Sword Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Double Edged Sword Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Cloning, perhaps the most famous genetic engineering technology of this time, is the process of producing an organism that is genetically identical to its progenitor by vegetative reproduction or a laboratory technique. It holds several medical benefits that once existed only in dreams, books, and movies. For instance, human therapeutic cloning can provide genetically identical cells from embryonic tissues for regenerative medicine, as well as new, healthy tissues and organs that can be used for transplantation. As such, cloning technologies can actually contribute greatly in the research and development for genetic diseases, as well as serious diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and diabetes. The capability of generating artificial human cells can also lead to further improvements in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries and burn treatments. Human reproductive cloning, meanwhile, could allow infertile couples to have children with at least some of their DNA. People could even clone themselves to be able to create the â€Å"perfect descendant† for them, or even the loved ones that they have lost to ease the pain of bereavement. However, the main argument against cloning is the fact that it is unethical and morally repugnant to use a human clone to save a life. A clone, though artificially made, is still a life form just like any other human being. To produce and later kill it merely for the sake of our needs would therefore be tantamount to committing a sin. Also, early experiments are most likely to result in a number of clinical failures and lead to miscarriage, the necessity of dozens or even hundreds of abortions, or births of massively deformed offspring. But problems with regards to early experiments pale in comparison to the socio-ethical issues that would surely arise should cloning succeed in producing a healthy child, and become part of the repertoire of new reproductive technologies presently offered to those with sufficient funds. Worse, society would be at a lost as to how to treat human clones. Another product of years of extensive research in genetic engineering is gene therapy, which involves the treatment of a genetic disease through the insertion of normal or genetically altered genes into cells and tissues in order to repair damaged or replace missing genes. It is seen as a potential cure for genetic disorders such as hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, severe combined immunodeficiency, etc. Genes and artificial chromosomes can also be inserted into embryos in a process known as germ-line gene therapy. This could be used to cure genetic disorders, including behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia, or to insert genes which enhance intelligence or athletic performance. The benefits of these genetic changes would be passed on to later generations. Nevertheless, gene therapy is far from perfect; in fact, it has caused the death of many patients who wished to cure themselves of their genetic disorders. Viruses, while the carrier of choice in most gene therapy studies, unfortunately presents a variety of potential problems to the patient, such as toxicity and immune and inflammatory responses. This medical procedure also has several limitations, such as its short-lived nature, as well as the fact this treatment is most suitable only for diseases that resulted from mutations in a single gene. It would be extremely difficult for gene therapy to effectively treat some of the most commonly occurring multi-factorial disorders such as heart diseases and diabetes, which are caused by the combined effects of variations in may genes. The next technique discussed in the film, RNA interference, can be used as a means of silencing gene expression. This can be harnessed to allow specific inhibitions of the function of any chosen target genes, including those involved in causing diseases such as cervical cancer and hepatitis. However, like gene therapy, success is only more likely in those diseases with a simple genetic basis rather than in complex multi-gene disorders. Diseases involving sites where delivery of synthetic RNA is more straightforward will also be more likely to be effectively treated. Also, geneticists are still in the process of improving the RNA interference technique so that they can ensure the procedure’s ability to selectively target cancer cells without destroying any normal cells. The last, and perhaps the most amazing, genetic technology shown in the film is stem cell therapy. Since stem cells are capable of being differentiated into basically all types of cells, they offer so much promise in the development of medical treatments for a wide range of conditions, including heart and brain diseases. Much success and potential has been demonstrated from research using adult stem cells. For instance, many patients with heart diseases who have resorted to stem cell therapy have made great progress in that more of their heart tissues are contracting normally. However—and this is where the controversy lies—the differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells is broader than most adult stem cells. It divides more rapidly than adult stem cells, potentially making it easier to generate a larger number of cells for therapeutic means. As such, it is the most versatile stem cells which can be eventually used to create a new organ. As such, scientists are looking into the use of embryonic stem cells, which could possibly lead to the creation of artificial, healthy organs in a few decade’s time. But, there is a price to be paid: sacrificial lives, in the form of embryos. Harvesting of embryonic stem cells can result in the destruction of human embryos, and even if clone embryos are used, they still count as human lives. As such, it would be very difficult for society to be able to swallow and accept such an immoral way of saving lives, especially those who believe that the end does not justify the means. As can be see, the promise of genetically modifying humans to improve their well being and to treat debilitating illnesses are becoming a reality. By delving deeper into the world of genetics, newfound knowledge may also enable us to go so far as to engineer our own genetic blueprints—to enhance our physical attributes and mental capabilities; to choose the sex, hair and eye color, and even the personality of our children; and, maybe—just maybe—to create seemingly perfect human beings with superpowers. However, despite the enormous amount of development in the field, our moral understanding and awareness is still limited in scope. Our ethical values are still not capable of providing us with adequate tools needed to address the socio-ethical problems posed by advances in genetics. As science outpaces moral understanding, scientists and ethicists are pitted against one another in their struggle to stand by what they believe is for the greater good and to articulate their concerns. While as proponents argue that genetic engineering can prevent and cure more diseases, ethicists believe that the risks—particularly the sacrifice of human lives to save those of others, as well as the after effects of manipulating that which has been ordained by nature—far outweigh the benefits. Humans have the natural tendency to abuse, and as such, the consequential misuse of genetic technologies is but inevitable. For instance, designer babies may be the realization of parents’ dreams for their children to be the best of the best, but altering a baby’s genetic traits and manipulating our own nature may demean the uniqueness of each individual and can therefore undermine our humanity. Children may, in effect, become mere consumer goods for ambitious parents. Gene manipulation, which is seen as a manifestation of the human desire to play God, is capable of entailing horrible social consequences. Society might just be divided between genetically modified humans whose abilities are enhanced and normal humans who don’t possess the same superhuman qualities. Worse, those who are lacking the genetic advantage might just end up becoming the inferior beings, living in a dreadful society with a lot of unimaginable problems. A future driven by genetic revolution seemed bright and wonderful; however, if society fails to expand its moral awareness to cope with the ethical questions that comes with this scientific development, the forces of nature might just catch us off-guard and backlash with a vengeance that we couldn’t possibly escape from. From this, it is apparent that gene manipulation can be likened to a double-edged sword—a weapon lethal against enemies, but with a great risk: it can just as easily kill the one who wields it.

Free Essays on Paving The Way Of The World

worth uses the different meters to set the tone of the speaker’s voice. In line one, â€Å"The world is too much with us; late and soon,† he iambic pentameter. It allows the reader to hear the tone in his voice. He a... Free Essays on Paving The Way Of The World Free Essays on Paving The Way Of The World The speaker in William Wordsworth’s poem â€Å" The World Is Too Much with US † is a man who is not pleased with the way people take advantage of the world. He claims that we are too wrapped up in material things that we can not see the natural beauty of the world. Wordsworth portrays the irritation and discouragement of the man through metaphors, apostrophe, and the different meters of the poem. He uses these three techniques to set the tone and enable us to look deeper into the poem. Wordsworth uses metaphors all throughout the poem. The metaphors makes the poem come to life and enables the reader to get a lucid picture of what he’s talking about. The speaker says, â€Å"we have given our hearts away, a sordid boon†(4). He is referring to our hearts as the one true thing that nature has given as a blessing. Our hearts are a blessing that we have allowed to corrupt by thinking of the world materialistically. The speaker also makes reference to the world when he says, â€Å" the winds that will be howling at all hours/and are now gathered up like sleeping flowers† (6-7). He means that the world is continuous and strong, never ceasing to end even though we do not notice it. Wordsworth uses apostrophe as well to portray the feelings of the speaker. It is almost like he is standing in front of a crowd of people making a speech. â€Å" Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers† (2). He says it as though he is telling them, including himself, what they are guilty of. Then he says, â€Å" for this, for everything, we our out of tune† (8). The speaker continues to use the word â€Å"we† to let the people know that they are not the only guilty party; everyone is responsible. To end it all, Wordsworth uses the different meters to set the tone of the speaker’s voice. In line one, â€Å"The world is too much with us; late and soon,† he iambic pentameter. It allows the reader to hear the tone in his voice. He a...

US fiscal deficit Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

US fiscal deficit - Annotated Bibliography Example "Long Term Fiscal Imbalances, Us External Liabilities and Future Living Standards". The Long-Term International Economic Position of the United States. By Bergsten, C. Fred. 1st Ed. New York: Peterson Institute, 2009. 11 - 23. Print. This chapter of the book focuses on the rising deficit of USA , decreasing savings among corporate and households and increasing external debt liabilities of USA. It explores the interrelationship among the three. It warns that exports from USA are continually decreasing with the rise of China which makes our external debt huge. This external debt coupled with fiscal deficit can cause problems for the economy in future if the saving rate does not increase. Conason, Joe. "Dick Cheney was right : Deficits dont matter and Republicans who are complaining about Barak Obamas spending are hypocrites." 2009. Web. 19 Mar 2013. . This article is about 2 major points. The first point which has been raised is that although Republicans are having been responsible for raising most of the United States debt. The second point mentioned is that national debt does not really matter provided that it is incurred to create long term growth for the country. Productive debt which kick starts the economy is much more beneficial in the long term which more than covers the short term negative effects of the debt. Concordcoalition.org. "Understanding the Federal Debt Limit | The Concord Coalition." 2013. Web. 19 Mar 2013. .

Saudi Arabia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example government has used the oil wealth of the country for the benefit of its people and it has put a lot of investment not only in infrastructure but also in education (Khatib, 2011). In fact, it can be said that some of the infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is better developed than that in the United States. The cities of this country are also very well planned and built and these are designed in very modern architecture. It is actually a breathtaking site when one approaches a Saudi Arabian city from a distance; it is truly an image of a beautiful oasis in the desert. This country has a very extensive social welfare system that caters for all its citizens and one could dare argue that the Saudi Arabian social welfare system actually functions better than the one in the United States (Wiley, 1999). Many in the United States believe that since Saudi Arabia is a traditionalist society, it does not have the necessary development to be in the modern world. The American image of Saudi Arabia is one of nomadic Arab tribesmen moving from place to place in the desert with nothing better to do than breed religious fanatics (Kamran, 2000). This image of Saudi Arabia is a very bad stereotype of the people of this state because most of the population of this country stopped their nomadic lifestyle more than half a century ago and in fact, many today live in the urban areas. The people of Saudi Arabia have adopted many of the ways of the Western world and this include the use of cars to travel instead of camels, many wear Western clothing (especially the men), and most of all, they live in houses which have been built in the modern style. The popular opinion in the United States is that Saudi Arabia is an extremely fanatical society when it comes to religion (Harris, 2003). This image only applies to a few of the people in this society because the majorities are surprisingly very liberal in matters concerning religion. Moreover, they only appear to be fanatical because of their

Same Sex Marriage Essay Example for Free

Same Sex Marriage Essay Same sex marriage is a legally or socially recognized marriage between two people of the same biological sex or social gender. This topic is an issue in marriages and families today because there has been an ongoing debate, arguments and so much confusion involved with same sex marriage for a very long time. There are many reasons that are given as to why same sex marriages should be discouraged. Some of these include; others feeling that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman while others feel that this type of marriage is not a good environment to raise kids. Same sex marriage affects almost everybody, some people are unhappy while others are happy with lots of confusion that needs to be cleared and at the same time other people are dying due to the choices that they make. If one decides to go for same sex marriage, they are either shunned by family, friends and the society. Others might be beaten to death or even tortured. In other gay marriages, I feel that the children in the families might be going through a hard time in trying to fit in. Children have a hard time in school which might lead to more issues with the children and trying to fix the situation. In this course, one learns ways and means of dealing with all these issues and they can be in a better position to avoid some of them. Through this paper, I intend to explain the benefits of same sex marriage to those that are in this type of marriage and why it is essential to them; the children in these types of marriages and their living situations and at the same time, I will include some of the reasons why a lot of people are so much against this idea. Same sex marriage is one of the biggest debates that has been going on for a very long time since people can never come to a consensus about this whole issue with lots of different Same sex marriage3 reasons. People feel that churches would be forced to marry gay people against their will. If gay marriage is legalized, homosexuality would be promoted in the public schools. The 2000 United States Census revealed 594,000 same-sex couples nationwide, with 46,490 in New York alone figures that may undercount the true number of couples by as much as 62 percent. There’s a gay baby boom accelerating over the past decade, 34.3 percent of female same-sex households and 22.3 percent of male households have children nationwide (the figures for New York are 34.3 percent and 21.7 percent, respectively). These rates are not that much below the national rate for married opposite-sex couples of 45.6 percent and of unmarried opposite-sex couples of 43.1 percent. Using reasonable estimates, this would suggest around 400,000 children being raised by same-sex couples nationwide, and 31,000 in New York. Same sex marriage should not be encouraged because there’s so much controversy involved around it. There are different reasons given for the benefits for those in the same sex marriage. (www.religioustolerance.org) Examples include; the financial security, dignity respect and the equal rights. Denying one group the right to marry has many adverse emotional and financial consequences. Examples of these are Social Security, Medicare, medical leave, and other benefits; property inheritance; the right to visit their spouse in hospital, and make medical decisions if they are incapacitated; security of the couple and of their children. In todays economic environment, it often takes two incomes to live. A married couple shares rent, utilities, and other bills, which are often difficult for one person to take on alone. This is especially truly if a dependent person is involved such as a child. In addition, a married couple can often financially support each other when times get tough, such as when one of the two is out of work. The other can continue to pay the bills until the unemployed person gets back on his/her feet. Same sex marriage4 As for the equal rights, denying marriage to same-sex couples removes from one group a fundamental, important human right which is the right to marry the person that one loves and to whom one has made a commitment. That is unfair and unjust in a democracy. At the same time, The institution of marriage conveys dignity and respect towards a couple that make a lifetime commitment to support each other. â€Å"Same-sex couples deserve this dignity and respect. Another benefit is that it encourages people to have strong family values and give up high-risk sexual lifestyles. One of the main arguments against gay marriage is that it would further erode family values; however, the opposite is true. www.balancedpolitics.org. The problems related to sexuality in our society such as STDs stem from carefree, frivolous lifestyles; in other words, having frequent, unprotected sex with many partners. Marriage encourages people to settle down and to give up that type of lifestyle. Married people commit themselves to one partner and work to build a life together. Isnt that the type of behavior we want to encourage? (The marriage and family experience Bryan strong Pgs. 368-369); talks about the children in the same sex marriage. Aware of the social stigma and lack of support, gay and lesbian families face, there may be a tendency to minimize differences in the children’s behavior. In so doing, some differences that might be strengths of gay and lesbian families may go under-emphasized. According to (www.religioustolerance.org); those opposed to same-sex marriage (SSM) often point to studies which show that children raised in families headed by a father and mother fare much better, both in childhood and later as adults. But further examination shows that most of these studies are not applicable here, because they compare families with opposite-sex parents to single-parent families, not with those headed by same-sex parents. Of course, many perhaps most children in single-parent families will be disadvantaged because of Same sex marriage5 poverty and the lack of a second parent to give the children more care and attention than one parent can provide. Those who advocate same-sex marriage often point to studies which show that children raised in two-parent families do well, regardless of whether the parents are of the same sex or opposite sex. But most of these studies are deeply flawed because: They involve self-selected subjects, and/or, they do not study families over a sufficiently long interval, and/or they demonstrate bias on the part of the researchers. Children raised in families led by same-sex parents would be continually exposed to homosexuality. They may choose to become gay or lesbian at a higher rate than those raised by a father and mother. Men and women have very different personalities, brain structure, talents, etc. They are designed to fit into very different roles within the family. In order for children to be properly socialized, they need to be brought up by both a father and a mother. The long range effects on children who are brought up by two women or two men are unknown and can only be speculated upon. Children of same-sex couples will be exposed to a great deal of ridicule and hatred by their fellow students and this could negatively affect their development. The desire to marry and settle down with a companion for life is very strong in some adults. So is the desire to have children. Other people also believe that if same sex marriage is not allowed, then at least some homosexuals may well be motivated to marry a person of the opposite sex, to leave the homosexual lifestyle, and to become an ex-gay or ex-lesbian. Others feel like same-sex marriage would weaken the institution of marriage by creating a counterfeit version of marriage which will harm the entire population, including children. Some studies show that the incidence of Same sex marriage6 violence between same-sex couples is higher than that between opposite-sex couples. This may also be true of same-sex couples in loving, committed relationships. If so, then children are bound to be harmed by the presence of violence in the home. These are some of the more reasons why many people are against same sex marriage. www.bidstrup.com. Most religions consider homosexuality a sin. Virtually every religion in the world, including the major ones in this country, consider homosexuality unacceptable. It is offensive and a swipe to the religious freedom of the majority to have to recognize a relationship they consider sinful. The legal system in the United States evolved out of the laws contained in the Bible. We shouldnt go even farther to tear down those laws. It would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage. The 50 percent divorce rate has already weakened the definition of marriage. We shouldnt be taking further steps to define what marriage is. A law allowing gay marriage would increase the number of joke or non-serious marriages, such as a couple of friends who want to save on taxes. Marriage is the most sacred institution in this country, and every society considers it the joining of a man and a woman. It makes biological sense since only a man and woman can pro-create. It would further weaken the traditional family values essential to our society. The building blocks of our society and the thing that makes it strong is the traditional family of man, woman, and children. It is what has sustained us through two world wars, terrorist attacks, a Great Depression, and numerous other challenges over the centuries. While friends lovers come and go, your family is always there. The main reason our culture and values have started to crumble is the weakening of families. Introducing another form of family would only make the Same sex marriage7 situation worse. It could provide a slippery slope in the legality of marriage (e.g. having multiple wives or marrying an animal could be next). Gay rights activists claim that these marriages should be allowed because it doesnt hurt anyone, but it could start a chain reaction that destroys the whole idea of marriage. If someone wants to marry his dog, why shouldnt he be able to? What if someone wants to marry their brother or parent? What if someone wants to marry their blow-up doll or have 10 wives? Unless we develop some firm definition of what a marriage is, the options are endless. If these options sound absurd, remember that all it takes is a few activist judges to use the statute to open the door. It doesnt matter if 95 percent of the population disagrees with the policy; one judge can interpret the case the way he or she wants. Do you remember how two judges in California recently declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional? If the decision hadnt been overturned, it would have prevented millions of children from being able to say the pledge every morning, despite the fact that 95+ percent of Americans disagreed with the decision. A lot of people feel that same sex marriage is not something to be encouraged, as a lot of research shows it leads to a much lower life expectancy, psychological disorders, and other problems. Studies show that homosexuals, for a variety of reasons, have life expectancies of approximately 20 years less than the general population. Just like a lifestyle of smoking, drinking, unhealthy lifestyles should be discouraged. www.religioustolerance.org. Same sex marriage is a debate that will always be there no matter what happens but people should never judge the same sex couple who decide to come together and get married. So long as they are happy and the children are well cared for, we should be happy for them. Same sex marriage8 REFERENCES Bidstrup, Scott (2009, June 3). Gay Marriage, The Arguments And The Motives http://www.balancedpolitics.org/ same sex marriage The marriage and Family Experience http://www.ibiblio.org/gaylaw Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: Focus on the Facts Post-2004 Election Edition by Sean Cahill. You tube Video The ViewArgues over Gay Marriage www.religioustolerance.org

Kenny Chesney Essay -- Country Singers Biographies Musicians Essays

Kenny Chesney Introduction: â€Å"No shoes, No shirt, No problems. Blues what blues†¦hey I forgot them. The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom and no shoes, no shirt, and no problems! (Lyrics on Demand). These are the lyrics of infamous country legend Kenney Chesney. Kenney Chesney is a leading artist in the country music industry. Earlier in his life, he experienced several set backs and disappointments on his way to becoming a country singer. Nashville, TN was very difficult on this young song writer, as it was the same to others. However, with persistants and dedication, Kenny Chesney finally made a name for himself, and is now a â€Å"Big Star.† Country Music History Unlike other genres of music, country music did not begin until August 1, 1927. On this day in Bristol, Tennessee, Ralph Peer signed Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family to recording contracts for Victor Records. These two acts set the tone for others to follow – Rodgers with his unique singing style and the Carters with their extensive recording of old-time music (Roughstock’s History of Country Music). However, it was not until 1950 when the â€Å"Nashville Sound† began. The â€Å"Nashville Sound† is defined as a blend of pop and country music. This is the category of country music in which Kenny Chesney falls into. K.C's History: Kenney Chesney grew up in a very small town called Luttrell, Tennessee. There, he was what you would call a typical â€Å"red neck.† He was a starter on his high school football team and his heart was broken by his high school sweetheart. Additionally, he idolized country singers like â€Å"Conway and Waylon, George Jones and Lefty Frizzell, Willie nelson and George Strait and Merle haggard, Vern Gosdin and John Conley and whatever ... ...Chesney has sold over eight million albums. Conclusion: Kenney Chesney has definitely made a name for himself in the country music industry. Through his had work and persistence, this guy from a small town in Tennessee has become a â€Å"Big Star.† Although Kenney Chesney is known thought the world, Chesney said for me, it’s â€Å"about the guy in the baseball hat and the girl that guy thinks is pretty. Real life the double platinum boy, who finds his solace in the ocean, realizes doesn’t’ always who up with the glided edges and profound pronouncements – you gotta find the truth as it rolls by with tan lines, an easy smile and a twinkle in its eye. And you know, so far, that’s worked just fine† (Official Website). Works Cited: href="www.roughstock.com"Rough Stock href="www.kchesney.com"The Official KC Homepage href="www.lyricsondemand.com"Lyrics on Demand

Nanotechnology in Sports Science and Equipment in China

CAES 2802 essay Nanotechnology in sports science and equipment in China Have you ever wondered why the tennis racket you are using is so flexible yet durable to withstand the force of swings? Or why does that tight vest you are wearing seem so thin yet provide excellent protection and warmth even in the coldest weather? Nanotechnology has been a rapidly advancing technology in the preceding decade, and is expected to be growing enormously in various aspects in the coming future.The potential of nano-tech extends far, and gives promising results in sciences and medicine, and of course, the many sports equipment we are currently using. What is nano-tech? All matters are made up of tiny particles, called atoms, and their properties are directly determined by these small particles, their strength, colours, textures†¦ Nanotechnology is a science which aims at directly making products in that atomic level, and therefore, we can directly decide what properties of that material we want. For example, we want a light and strong material to make our sports rackets, and we found that carbon is the best building blocks and we invented many different kinds of materials, including carbon nanotube we always hear about. And these are collectively known as nanomaterial. Numerous researches have been conducted in both China and Hong Kong. China government has invested large amount of funds into the field of nano technology. Since 1999, China's spending on  research and development  (R;D) has gone up by more than 20% each year and a further funding of ? 12 billion has been invested in 20121.And over 30,863 patents on nano technology was established since 2008 and the number of nanotechnology related science publications in China has ranked second in the world, surpassed only by the USA2. These statistics all showed that China is closing gap between frontier countries and determined to have a large chuck of profit from this big cake. Back to the science itself, nanomaterial has been used on different sports equipment. For example, the tennis racket Roger Federer using is made with nano-titanium oxide, a very strong and light material, inside a matrix of carbon fiber composite3.This makes their tennis racket extremely light and durable. What properties of nanomaterial constitute to these favourable characters? Most materials’ properties are governed by how the atoms align themselves within the material, we call it the matrix. Normal materials will have dislocations among those aligned atoms and may result in weaknesses, however, nanomaterials have their atoms aligned in necklaces form and the boundaries between those â€Å"necklaces† becomes smaller and the material becomes stronger and, since spaces are conserved, lighter as well4.Aside from this principle, scientists have also managed to place small particles within the matrix and making it more compact, for example, YONEX has succeeded in penetrating nano-scale particles between the ca rbon atoms, resulting in their rackets produced having 30% more strength and 10% more durability3. Despite these advantages, there are still risks of these nanomaterial having negative impacts to people’s health and their safety is yet to be 100% confirmed to be free of harm.Many countries have already passed legislations that regulate the uses of these nanomaterials. The Europe Commission has adopted a so called â€Å"incremental approach†, which aims at using existing legislations to tackle with the problems of the possible risks of nanomaterial5. And after several studies, the European Commission is considering the possibility of â€Å"reexamining and, if necessary lowering the current 1 ton per annum threshold† for engineered nanoparticles (European Commission, Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General, 2004).Furthermore, the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering has suggested that nanomaterials should be treated as a new substance under ex isting chemicals regulation laws, which state that those newly invented materials should be carefully assessed and classified5. The nanomaterial can be classified into the two types we have mentioned: materials that are nanostructured in bulk, and materials with nanoparticles within. It is the latter type of nanomaterial that is potentially hazardous to human beings.The nano particles, which are not necessarily tightly bound to the material itself, will easily leak out and cause health impact to human beings. Also, many sports equipment, such as baseball bat contains carbon nanotubes and after disposal, may produce toxic gases with tiny carbon particles during waste treatment3. These are all possible ways of nanomaterial imposing harms to our health and should not be overlooked. Meanwhile in China, there is no legislation or regulatory means to assess those hazards from nanomaterial.China has been urged to carry out extensive safety studies and tighten regulation of its thriving nan otechnology industry. Zhao Yuliang, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ National Centre for Nano-science and Technology (NCNST), has stated that â€Å"We certainly don’t want safety issues to become a trade barrier for nano-based products,† he said. â€Å"The main challenge is to tease out what characteristics make some nanoparticles hazardous. † Although China is fast behind those science giants like USA, they still have much more to do before they can be praised as a scientifically advanced country.Meanwhile the USA is spending half of its fund on nanotechnology for safety studies; China only spends a mere 3 percent. And most of the public is unconcerned about this matter, according to a survey conducted by Dalian University6. Nanotechnology is a marvelous science created by mankind, it has promised extensive uses in all kinds of field, and like all other technologies, it has its risks and danger. China, in the future, has much to catch up with, and should bear a more attentive and cautious attitude towards developing this kind of new material.Especially when those products are so widely used in sports, where there are frequent contacts with human beings. Reference List 1. Tom M. China’s giant step into nanotech. The Guardian [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2013 April 19]. Available from: â€Å"http://www. guardian. co. uk/technology/2009/mar/26/nanotechnology-china† 2. Can Huang, Yilin Wu. State-led Technological Development: A Case of China’s Nanotechnology Development. EPIP 2011, Proceedings of The 6th Annual Conference of the EPIP Association, 2011. Brussels, Belgium: EPIP; p. -4 3. Chuyan Li, Xinliang Liu, Sijin Meng, Yanfen Xiao. â€Å"Study on application and biosafety of nano-materials in sports engineering†. IEEE 2011. Proceedings of the 2011 IEEE International Conference on Future Computer Science and Education, 2011. Hong Kong, China: IEEE; p. 1-4 4. Brown University, NanoTechnology: New principle in material science discovered. ScienceDaily [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2013 April 19]. Available from : â€Å"http://www. sciencedaily. com/releases/2010/04/100407134817. htm† 5.Antonio Franco, Steffen Foss Hansen, Stig Irving Olsen, Luciano Butti, Limits and prospects of the â€Å"incremental approach† and the European legislation on the management of risks related to nanomaterials, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Volume 48, Issue 2, July 2007, Pages 171-183, ISSN 0273-2300, 10. 1016/j. yrtph. 2007. 03. 007. Available from http://www. sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0273230007000372 6. Jane Qiu. Nao-safety Urged in China. Nature [internet] 2012. [cited 2013 April 18]. Available from : â€Å"http://www. nature. com/news/nano-safety-studies-urged-in-china-1. 11437†