Potential hazards of nanotechnology

Self-replicating nanobots The first concern is that of out-of-control, self-replicating "nanobots" that would eventually consume and take over the planet in a style reminiscent to that of "The Matrix". Alvin Toffler and Heidi Toffler in their brilliant book "War and Anti-War: Making Sense of Today's Global Chaos" theorised the creation of insect-sized attack robots, nano-sized robots which would drill into enemy territory, and start self-replicating to a huge extent. These time-controlled robots could then be …

…could theoretically out-engineer the constantly evolving process of human life, and make a synthetic form of life that is better adapted to the Earth's environment. This is still hazy and vague as we do not know enough about life itself to make such a claim. Such a feat is still unrealistic in the next 20 years. However, it is noteworthy as a potential problem that might arise out of nanotechnology in the near (or far) future.