Implications of nanotechnologyNanoethics concerns the ethical and social issues associated with developments in nanotechnology, a science which encompass several fields of science and engineering, including biology, chemistry, computing, and materials science. Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of very small-scale matter – a nanometer is one billionth of a meter, and nanotechnology is generally used to mean work on matter at 100 nanometers and smaller.Significant environmental, health, and safety issues might arise with development in nanotechnology since some negative effects of nanoparticles in our environment might be overlooked. Since nature itself creates all kinds of nano objects, however, the potential dangers are not due to the nanoscale alone but rather to the fact that previously non-toxic materials can become harmful when ingested or inhaled as nanoparticles. Social risks related to nanotechnology development include the possibility of military applications of nanotechnology in biological warfare, chemical warfare, ammunitions and armaments and even as implants for soldier "enhancement." Enhanced surveillance capabilities through nano-sensors are also of concern to privacy rights advocates. However, as of 2007, these applications still belong to science-fiction.In discussing issues related to nanotechnology, the acronym NELSI is used to signify nanotechnology's ethical, legal, and social implications