Nanotech: The Future of Food?

When Bio-tech industries have introduced GMO or genetically modified crops, it caused quite a sensation with many health enthusiasts groups, and there is still an ongoing debate about it.  But right under our noses, a far more questionable process is being kept under wildfire, known as Nanotechnology.

Nanotech is everywhere, from harmless baby drinks to your multivitamins. The National Nanotechnology Initiative’s site defines nanotechnology as the application of scientific and engineering principles to make and utilize very small things.  It means reducing something way beyond what the human eyes can see.

Not enough studies are made into the health risks it posed and there are many products using this nanotech.  The potential risks of these engineered particles are still on the gray scale, no matter how hot this technology can be.

Do we see our future food shrunk into the size of nanos in powder form?  We can just see the advent of designer foods which can be mixed-and-matched to suit everyone’s nutritional value needs, since nanoparticles are better absorbed in the body.

Does this means better health?  The very pleasure of eating food is to savor its texture, of how juicy, crispy and crunchy a food can be.  Surely, nano-foods will save us valuable time spent on eating alone, and still, the simple act of peeling a banana can make eating an act of bliss.

Since nano particles can pass through the innermost barriers of our living cell, I can only fear of accidental exposure.  For example, if a cancer patient gets a nano drug treatment, containing some special mix specially made for that person… imagine its accidental exposure to a healthy person.  Plus, we can’t see these particles in the first place.

Will the government and these biotech labs take a safer, more responsible measure in this field of science?  There are already some stir about this nanotech rage and we can only just wait for some news in the near future.