Cure for Cancer?

I've long been a fan of the prospects of nanotechnology, with particular focus on the medical applications of this new science.

Here's the first sign that nanotech is going to be a major feature of this century- researchers at the University of Delaware have developed carbon nanotube "nanobombs" which they are aiming to use on cancerous cells. The idea is to use the bombs to blast apart the tumours, along with their blood supply and "reproductive pathways".

Current surgical techniques are not precise and cancerous cells are often left behind. In addition, cancers in some part of the body, such as arteries and veins, are sometimes considered inoperable. Nanobombs can be used to target any remaining cancerous cells and can be used in any part of the body, allowing the creation of nanobomb therapy for a wide variety of cancers.

The best part is that nanobomb treatment will be much less taxing on the patient than current chemotherapy-

“In the future, my vision is that people will have at-home kits that can detect cancer. After work they will be able to go to a clinic, be treated with nanobombs and go home.”

There are years of clinical trials to go before this treatment becomes available but it's just one area in which nanotechnology will transform our world. Imagine a time when breast cancer- or any other type for that matter- is not a killer disease.

And one other thing- part of the funding for the project is provided by the Department of Defense. Thank heavens for the US military.