Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Delphi Method

Shown Below is a basic use of the Delphi Method:

In the spirit of nano technologies, there is a notion of nanofood called “smart food”. In a society that continues to have increasing demands for food production, it will become necessary to produce foods that people prefer versus that of what they are expect to eat. While nanofood is being produced through out the world, there will be new smart foods to meet our individual needs.

DK Matai (2010) of the Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance (ATCA) purports there will come a time in the near future wherein we will receive drink which has nano-capsules placed in the liquid. We, as consumers, will determine what features we want to activate (flavor, color, nutrients, etc) and with a tunable microwave, we will activate these desirable features. Whatever you do not desire will pass through the body in the unused nano-capsules.

Using Socratic dialogue, the ATCA, adhering to a non-violence doctrine uses a “philanthropic expert initiative founded in 2001 to resolve complex global challenges through collective Socratic dialogue and joint executive action to build a wisdom based global economy”. The implications here are, of course, a global responsibility to society along with an ethical responsibility to keep food as healthy as possible for the masses but also allowing for personal preference. With flexibility comes self-responsibility.

Time-lines for implementation will be difficult to predict because there is no current regulation on how this technology will be implemented. The obvious commitment to health and quality assurance (QA) for food will be desirable to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but with such a radical variety of how to keep this food healthy given all the possible variants of nutrients (or lack thereof) may provide to be a moral challenge knowing the FDA has strict guidelines of what is considered healthy with the placement of “Nutrition Facts” on all food products. Nonetheless, nanotechnology offers great promise with financial and global implications - the increase in healthier food, less waste with better tasting food, smarter packaging and cost effective production. Beyond this, there are possible other specific benefits such as some metals being very powerful by killing bacteria at a nano-scale by crossing the normal protective barriers in the body through the liver in the blood stream, and, can even penetrate the cell wall surrounding the brain.


(http://nano-modern.blogspot.com/)

Top ten nanotechnology uses for food are:

1. Contaminant sensors – light sensors reveals bacterial problems such as E.coli

2. Antimicrobial Packaging – oil films that cover food to kill bacteria

3. Improved food Storage – using nano-enhanced barrier to block oxygen-sensitive food

4. Enhanced Nutrient Delivery – nutraceuticals are nano-encapsulated to increase solubility of vitamins, omega oils, and antioxidants

5. Green Packaging – biodegradable, antimicrobial nano-fibers made from lobster shell or corn

6. Pesticide Reduction – soaked nano-fiber cloth slowly releases pesticides to better control the application

7. Tracking, Tracing, Brand detection – as a means of tracking indiscretions such as outbreaks

8. Texture – nano-sized crystals improve food stability and spreadability, improvements on lipids to provide better low-fat foods

9. Flavor – blockers to prevent bitter flavor or to add sweet or salt enhancements

10. Bacteria Identification and Elimination – binding carbohydrates with bacteria allows for identification and subsequent elimination

Sources:
http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/frameset.php?pageid=http%3A//www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/press/170110.php

http://nano-modern.blogspot.com/

DK Matai, Chairman, Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance (ATCA) & The Philanthropia

No comments:

Post a Comment