Nanotechnology.

Over a century ago asbestos was hailed as the wonder material. It was a very effective heat insulant and the ideal material for car brake linings.

Unfortunately it also killed people !

Now we are entering a new age with nanotechnology.

This is a science where incredibly small particles - as small as one tenth of a human hair - can be manipulated to perform functions that were not previously possible. They are finding commercial use in sun screens and many cosmetics.

Questions are now being asked about their safety. It is possible that such tiny fibres floating free could be as damaging as asbestos fibres, and we certainly don't want another episode of an unrecognised killer decimating thousands of people because of public apathy.

Some people have another concern about nanotechnology. It is thought that particles can be taught to behave in certain patterns by a " herd effect " syndrome. This is as basic as turning left or right - acting as a switch - in electronic applications.

Some see this as the first basic of teaching non living matter to think !

The problem with such a concept in many minds is the inability to limit the range of thinking in non-human matter - and just where that could lead us.

There is a chance that nanotechnology may open up whole new worlds of science, but we should approach with caution - and certainly the first requirement should be to ascertain what health risks are present.

A repeat of the asbestos disaster would be a preventable tragedy !