As early as 2008, Bill Gates expressed his concern to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute regarding the potential use of various emerging technologies, including the use of nanomaterials, for security,

In this book, I have explored where the balance between our desire for humanity and our desire for security currently rests, outlining the legal parameters set by treaty law, customary international law and principles, environmental law and international human rights law to the use of nanomaterials in war. I have demonstrated where the boundaries and limitations on the use of nanomaterials currently lie, as well as where the boundaries may require clarifying or strengthening to reflect current values, such as in international environmental law, and in the case of biological uses of nanomaterials. In particular, I have argued that States need to agree to prohibit explicitly the hostile use of genetic modification or any other alteration to the human anatomy without consent.