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The definition of a nanosecond is one billionth of a second, with technology developing it into nanosecond-long pulses of extremely high voltage. An upcoming sign of a promising new cancer treatment---it focuses on tiny tumors and lone leukemia cells as its targets. Unfortunately, critics are claiming it also has the basis for a Taser-like weapon which stuns the body for long periods. This could be a problem when we live in a world where a few of the trained professionals and law officials abuse the use of Taser weapons, documented in public videos against teenagers and adults instead of using a correct and safe procedure.

Focusing on the nanosecond as a weapon against cancer, research on mice shows that previously-used microsecond pulses can punch temporary holes in any type of cell membranes. Nanosecond pulses have a similar method of destruction on individual organelles---located inside cells---with one example being the nucleus. This causes the cell to destroy itself which is beneficial in cancer treatments in an apoptosis process.

Apoptosis is referred to as "programmed cell death (PCD)", which occurs in multi-cellular organisms. This is in contrast to the process of necrosis, which is a form of traumatic cell death resulting from an acute cellular injury whereas apoptosis confers advantages during the life cycle of the target organism. Normally, a range of 50 to 70 billion cells in an adult die on a daily basis, due to the process of apoptosis. For a child age six to fourteen, 20 to 30 billion cells die per day. This mass of cell deaths at the end of a year is equal to the individual's body weight, with excessive apoptosis causing the effects of hypotrophy damage or uncontrolled cell proliferation—which is referred to as cancer.

The research so far by Dr. Scheinberg, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Laboratory of Hematopoietic Cancer Immunochemistry at the Sloan-Kerring Institute and Chief of MSKCC's Leukemia Service, has been on cell cultures: prostrate, leukemia, neuroblastoma, breast, lymphoma, and ovarian. What was found were that the "nanogenerators" could successfully kill every one of these cancer types with an extremely low concentration.  Thereafter, two models of mice were treated with the nanogenerator: one with prostate cancer and one with widespread lymphoma with the treatment resulting in long-term survival for many of the mice, and with all of the mice achieving extended lives after one low-dose treatment.

TASER EFFECTS

Nanosecond pulse research shows the demonstration of voluntary muscular impairment or inhabitation, remaining in effect for longer periods of time than exposure time. The Tasers that are used presently deliver multiple electric microsecond shocks during a five-second cycle, delivered to the body in a dart through twin electrodes. The electrical activity of the nerve cell membranes that are responsible for carrying the body's instructions and feedback are disrupted by the pulsing electric field, created by the Taser hit. Wearing off almost immediately, the suspect or target is held in an incapacitated manner for long enough to make an arrest.

Research by the Frank Reidy Center in Norfolk, Virginia, on the 60-second nanosecond pulses have shown longer lasting stunning of up to 15-minutes, with planned testing on live subjects "proceeding at appropriate  institutions" without stating what subjects they have in mind.

"The medical and biological effects of such ultra-short electrical shocks in such a weapon are presently unknown," highlights Amnesty International researcher Angela Wright, saying the organisation is already concerned that evidence is emerging that Tasers and other shock devices have long-term health effects. She thinks that the different effects of even shorter pulses may also have unpredicted effects.