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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Ethical Question

Carbon Nanotubes in Medical Applications


Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are 1-dimensional carbon-based molecular structures.  In nanotechnology a 1-dimensional structure is one that has two lengths that are less than 100 nanometers.  CNTs have remarkable properties and have been proven to be successful in many areas, including in hospitals.  They are very good conductors to heat and electricity and have almost no electrical resistance.  Nanotubes can easily pass through cell membranes, allowing them to be exceptional in cancer treatment.  The tubes can be injected into the bloodstream and carried to the tumor.  After a short time of applying infrared radiation over the tumor, they get hot, just in two minutes they can reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit or 70 degrees Celsius where they eliminate the cancer cells without causing damage to healthy cells nearby.

However it is possible that CNT's will cause respiratory problems but only in high doses, according to the New York Times CNT's may have adverse effects related to asbestos, the cause of lung diseases such as lung cancer and Mesothelioma.  Is it ethical to use CNT's in treating diseases?  The biggest risk of lung cancer is inhaling the tiny fibers and puts people working with the materials at most risk rather than patients.  The study in the New York Times article reports that longer tubes are more deadly due to them causing lesions which develops into mesothelioma.  My opinion to this question is that using CNT in treating cancer is ethical and should be used.

Medical Applications of Carbon Nanotubes
Tumors Destroyed by Nanotubes
Nanotube Cancer Treatment

22 comments:

  1. 1. M
    2. M
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    5. I think this is a very intersting topic, but you didn't give much information for each side of the argument. Also what is your stance on using nanotubes? Do you think that they should be implemented into medical uses?

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  2. 1. Medium
    2. Medium
    3. Medium
    4. Weak

    5. Your field of interest is a good one, but you didn't really pose an ethical question about the topic. You gave some good information supporting the use of CNTs, but not much about why they shouldn't be used. Also, you didn't have a opinion about the topic that you defended.

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  3. 1. Described field of interest and described question posed. Medium
    2. Both sides of argument were presented. Medium
    3. Appropriate references were included Medium
    4. Defended position is described clearly Weak

    5. What is your position? Try to state arguments for and against more clearly, and explicitly state your view on the topic.

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  4. 1.M
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    4.W

    5. You need to answer the question you pose in your last sentence. Take a stance and defend your position.

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  5. 1.W
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    4.M
    5.I am confused on what your ethical question is regarding the topic. Good information was presented, however your arguments could have been presented more clearly for both sides.

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  6. 1.W
    2.M
    3.S
    4.W
    5. You didn't really pose an ethical question, it just launched into information and then I realized I was reading one side of an argument. Should have been made more clear. What is your position on this?

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  7. 1. M
    2. M
    3. M
    4. M

    5. I think you make good points but I would give some reasons for why you are for using carbon nano tubes. Defend your position on why you think the arguments against using the tubes are wrong.

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  8. 1. M
    2. M
    3. M
    4. W

    5. It is a very interesting subject that I know nothing about. I think more information and arguments are needed. Also more explanation on why you are for it.

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  9. 1.S
    2.M
    3.M
    4.W

    5. The title of your blog is pretty self-explanatory for why this issue is in your field of interest. However, your opinion on the issue is lacking any explanation for why you believe use of this technology is appropriate in cancer treatment. Great detail on what it is and how it works though!

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. 1. M
    2. M
    3. S
    4. W-M

    Provide more detail backing as to you you are supporting the side of the issue that you do. Also add the question at the beginning on the post before going straight to background. Overall pretty good job

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  12. 1.M
    2.M
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    5. Good topic, but we don't know what your specific question is. Also, be explicit on what you believe on the issue.

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  13. 1.W
    2.M
    3.M
    4.W

    Overall really good information, but what is your field of interest and what was your position on this topic? Both were not clearly defined which would help enhance this.

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  14. 1. Described field of interest and described question posed. M
    2. Both sides of argument were presented. M
    3. Appropriate references were included M
    4. Defended position is described clearly W

    5. I think that you definitely could have expanded more into how CNT are used to treat disease and definitely expanded on why you feel the way you do. the position wasn't defended, just stated.

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  15. 1. M
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    4. M
    5. Back up your position more; tell us your opinion on CNTs.

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  16. 1.m
    2.m
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    4.w

    your position was stated but none of your reasoning was presented.

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  17. 1.W
    2.M
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    4.W

    5.The ethical question should be stated, as well as what your field of interest is. Overall, the arguments and your position on the topic could be more developed.

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  18. 1. M
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    3. M
    4. M

    You need to put your opinion in a different paragraph than your argument against. You also should have stated the ethical question you were answering.

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  19. 1. M
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    4. M
    What is considered a high dose of CNTs? You should also expand on your personal position.

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  20. 1.M
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    4.W

    I thought you could have more clearly identified your position on the topic.

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  21. 1. M
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    5. Interesting topic to think about. Could have done a better job explaining your position.

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  22. 1. M
    2. M
    3. M
    4. M

    I felt that some more facts could have been presented. For example what a high dose of CNT's is.

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