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Mapping Weak Signals

Inspired by: workshops/meetings » Herbs (enhanced by Nanotechnology) used to fight cancer

version: 5 / updated: 2011-02-04
id: #1575 / version id: #1041
mode: VIEW

Originally submitted by: Anthony Walker
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Last changed by: Anthony Walker
WI-WE status:
submitted unpublished archived

Source of inspiration

Workshops/Meetings

iKnow workshop country name

United Kingdom

Workshop date

February 2010

The source of the Weak Signal is

UK Workshop - Nanotechnologies

Signal's headline

(max. 9 words)
Herbs (enhanced by Nanotechnology) used to fight cancer

Signal's description

(approx. 150 words)
Please describe the Weak Signal (approx. 150 words)
Natural herbs enhanced with Nanotechnology are being used to combat and fight cancer. If successfully developed, this natural remedy would revolutionise global cancer treatment and prolong life.

Keywords

Herbs, nanotechnology, cancer cure, natural remedy, prolong life

Mini-description

(max. 250 characters)
Natural herbs enhanced with Nanotechnology are being used to combat and fight cancer. If successfully developed, this natural remedy would revolutionise global cancer treatment and prolong life.

Signal's first apperance

before 2000

Signal's potential evolution

It could lead to...
issue type of issue/development potential impact on society timeframe for the issue to become at least 50% probable
#1 Curing all forms of cancer, enabling people to live for longer. Impact on finance, healthcare and pensions as ageing population increases. This weak signal would evolve under normal conditions through the correct research. continuation
 		very beneficial
 		now-2050+
#2 Side effects of receiving drug treatment in the long term may be unknown at the time of administration. Society has a lack of understanding of treatment and do not receive the correct and adequate healthcare (for example, society believes eating rosemary will create immunity to cancer). new/emerging
 		mainly harmful
 		now-2050+
#3 Working conditions and prospects for young workers are tough as people live longer, the age of retirement increases and there are more people than jobs. Natural resources could be an issue as well as cost: - Only the rich can afford the treatment - Affect on ecosystems and environment - Control of herb resource (location) power struggle re-emerging
 		harmful
 		now-2050+
#4 Potential for no more disease, but nature finds a way to develop further more catastrophic disease as natural immunity falls. discontinuation
 		harmful
 		now-2050+

Under what assumption the Weak Signal might evolve.

This weak signal would evolve under normal conditions through the correct research

Importance

please specify
please select
Level 2: important for a particular world region Being able to effectively treat all forms of cancer would benefit the whole world

Filters preventing the signal's monitoring

information/communicational filters (media/editorial interests, language, reasoning)
economic filters (business/market interests)

Comments on selection:

If the research was being carried out by industry then it would not be published or advertised until after it was patented and ready for the market

Key driving forces of this signal

Please use these boxes to provide up to 2 drivers of HIGH importance. Click on HELP to see examples:
Driver 1 Driver 2
Technological/Scientific Researchers would be very keen to be the person who discovered the cure for cancer
Economic Industry would see huge profits in developing a cure for cancer

Major risks & opportunities associated to the signal

Please choose the most appropriate timeframe option(s) to which you would like to provide inputs.
Risks Opportunities
between 2025-2050 Great opportunity to improve quality of life and average lifespan

Potential stakeholders' actions

short-term actions
(now-2015) 		longer-term
(after 2015)
Academic/Research sector Continue to carry out research in this area
Non-for-profit organisations (e.g. NGOs, political parties, social movements, voluntary associations) cancer charities should invest money in this research

Signal's relevance for European Grand Challenges

where? please justify:
particularly relevant Europe world
Diseases, health and well-being A cure for all forms of cancer

Signal's relevance for thematic research areas

please justify:
particularly relevant
Health A cure for all forms of cancer

Pan-European strategies influencing the signal

please justify:
particularly relevant
Strengthening research institutions and universities Improving research institutions will enable this technology to be developed more effectively

Research-friendly strategies potentially improving understanding of the signal

For further information about 'research-friendly strategies' click here
please justify:
particularly relevant
Strengthening the actors in the research-friendly ecology
(i.e. Research funding organisations, universities, businesses, Research and Technology Organisations, Researchers and Citizens) 		Having organisations (government, charities, and researchers) working together will enable the technology to be developed quicker

Signal's relevance for future R&D and STI policies

Note: RTD = research and technology development; STI = science, technology and innovation
Improving research institutions will enable this technology to be developed more effectively. Research areas should continue to carry out research in this area, and cancer charities should invest money in this research.