Nanotechnology: How Prepared Is Uganda?

Abstract

This chapter is a newspaper article written by Kikonyogo Ngatya that wasoriginally published in the Uganda Sunday Monitor on June 28, 2009.Ngatya reports on the controversy surrounding a small drinking vesselbeing sold in Uganda for approximately US$250 to US$500 that merchantsclaim offers health benefits from nanotechnology. The point ofrepublishing this article is not to demonstrate that Ugandans don'tunderstand nanotechnology. After all the claims made for the glassaren't entirely dissimilar from the promises of nanotechnology productsbeing developed in the North. Rather it emphasizes the difficultiesinherent in ensuring that nanotechnologies will be safe and providetangible benefits. Europe and the United States have begun the processof developing regulations, but have a long way to go before any robustand enforceable national policies are put into place-and these countrieshave the benefit of substantial resources in terms of money,infrastructure, and scientists. Developing countries like Uganda lackmany of these assets. As can be seen in this article there are a numberof concerned officials, scientists, and even reporters who are takingsteps to do what they can to make sure that developing countries don'texperience adverse effects from nanotechnologies, but it will likely bean uphill struggle.-eds.