ABSTRACT
While the above study has been strongly discredited [10], it shows the need for this area to be closely controlled. Silver nanoparticles also pose a potential risk to humans. Silver is used extensively in medicine due to its antimicrobial properties [11]; however, recent studies have shown a number of problems with nanosilver including its ability to interfere with DNA [12]. There are several other studies demonstrating a seri-ous risk to humans from nanotechnology, such as diamond nanoparticles [13] and iron nanoparticles [14] showing harmful effects while one study stating a general link between nanoparticles and kidney stones [15]. Other significant areas where nanotechnology crosses with biology are cosmetics and food. These fields, to which I will return, have the potential to be a real danger to human safety. 18.2 The European Union Approach Like most problems facing the regulatory system, balancing competing interests is the key to providing a successful regulatory framework, particularly where there are significant possible benefits from this research [16]. The key to effectively regulating this area is to protect public safety and also not unnecessarily stifle research. Ireland is extremely unlikely to offer any framework, given its general unwillingness to regulate any of these contentious areas in the past, so any regulation of this area will come from the European Union.
