Today we're going to look at an important area of science, namely nanotechnology.

今天我们来看一门重要的科学，也就是所谓的纳米技术。

So what is it?

所以它是什么呢？

Nano means tiny, so it's science and engineering on the scale of atoms and molecules.

纳米的意思是微小，所以是原子级和分子级的科学和工程。

The idea is that by controlling and rearranging atoms, you can literally create anything.

在于通过控制和重新排列原子，你真的可以创造任何东西。

However, as we'll see, the science of the small has some big implications affecting us in many ways.

但是，正如我们所见，关于微小物质的科学却给我们从很多方面带来大大的影响。

There's no doubt that nanotechnology promises so much for civilisation.

无疑纳米技术给文明带来太多希望。

However, all new technologies have their teething problems.

但是，所有新的技术都有它们萌芽阶段的问题。

And with nanotechnology, society often gets the wrong idea about its capabilities.

对于纳米技术，社会通常对它的能力有着错误的想法。

Numerous science-fiction books and movies have raised people's fears about nanotechnology - with scenarios such as inserting little nano-robots into your body that monitor everything you do without you realising it, or self-replicating nano-robots that eventually take over the world.

无数的科幻书籍和电影引发了人们对于纳米技术的恐惧。比如在你不知情的情况下，在你的身体里植入纳米机器人来监视你做的一切，或者自我复制的纳米机器人最终统治了世界。

So how do we safeguard such a potentially powerful technology?

所以我们怎样能保护一项可能如此强大的技术不被滥用？

Some scientists recommend that nano-particles be treated as new chemicals with separate safety tests and clear labelling.

有些科学家建议纳米颗粒应该被当做化学品，需要单独的安全测试和清晰的标注。

They believe that greater care should also be taken with nano-particles in laboratories and factories.

他们相信在实验室和工厂里，应该给予纳米颗粒更多的关注。

Others have called for a withdrawal of new nano products such as cosmetics and a temporary halt to many kinds of nanotech research.

其他人则呼吁收回新的纳米产品，比如化妆品还要临时终止各种纳米技术的研究。

But as far as I'm concerned there's a need to plough ahead with the discoveries and applications of nanotechnology.

但是，在我看来，我们需要继续发掘纳米技术的发现和应用。

I really believe that most scientists would welcome a way to guard against unethical uses of such technology.

我确信大部分科学家会欢迎这类技术的保护措施，防止滥用。

We can't go around thinking that all innovation is bad, all advancement is bad.

我们不能总认为所有的创新都是不好的，所有的发展都是不好的。

As with the debate about any new technology, it is how you use it that's important.

就像所有有关新技术的辩论，怎样使用它才是最重要的。

So let's look at some of its possible uses.

所以让我们来看看可能的利用方式。