Carbon Nanotubes Angels Or Demons?

Fiorito (internal medicine and immunology, University La Sapienza, Rome) and her colleagues examine the potential uses and possible adverse reactions to the use of carbon nanotubes in medicine. Nanotechnology disasters have long been a staple of science fiction and Fiorito comments in her introduction that much research is deferred by public misunderstanding. Therefore, the first two sections explain the history and construction of nanotubes. The other articles cover preliminary research indicating that the nanotubes could deliver medicine directly where needed targeting tumors, for instance. They might also revolutionize bone therapy and even repair spinal cord damage. Fiorito discusses the reasons for care in implementing these projects. Elements at the nano level may not behave in the same ways as at macroscopic size. The variables are multifold, consisting of reactions within the human body and in the laboratory. Strict standards for construction and use would need to be established. Nevertheless, the possibilities for treating serious conditions make this research well worth while. Distributed in North America by World Scientific. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)