The science of nanotech is cutting-edge but simple enough to be affordable globally.
And the development prospect is huge.
So its no surprise that many developing countries have already embarkedon commercializing the technology.
The term nanotechnology generally refers to any use of nano-scale particles (between 1 and 100 nanometers).
Some scientists are planning to use it to improve nutrition.
Unfortunately, we dont have proper standards yet for regulating nanoparticles.
There is no one single method to analyze a nanoparticle.
There is no common ground or a dialogue, Kiruba Krishnaswamy, University of Missouri, US, said.
The idea is to spray these on food to allow us to extract more nutrients.
Similarnano emulsions are being explored for their antimicrobial activityto protect crops and foods from going off.
Sonia Trigueros, a researcher at Britains University of Oxford believes its applications are limitless.
It has the potential to make better crops without the kind of public fears surrounding genetic modification.
We calculated the cost of nanoparticle-based transformations over gene gun or Agrobacterium, she says.
The costs are less for nanoparticles because they can be synthesized on a bulk scale.
Were still in the dark.
Regulatory vacuum
The absence of sound scientific protocols is a problem for policymakers and regulators.
Theres a total lack of regulation, Rattray says.
Such laws are generally more stringent in the developed world, so developing nations are especially exposed.
There is no one single method to analyze a nanoparticle.
There is no common ground or a dialogue.
Experts say the issue calls for an international perspective, including developing nations.
In addition to the concerns over safety of food additives, there are also emerging concerns about environmental impacts.
Were talking about thousands of nanoparticles that are on the market.
We have almost no knowledge of how they interact.
Simonin adds: I think this is a global problem and that developing countries are also concerned.
No alarmism
Despite concerns, though, scientists say there is no need for alarmism.
Its a very young technology, so we need to have a positive view.
This article was originally published onSciDev.Net.
