Futuristic nanotechnologies that purify drinking water, produce energy and grow food can benefit poor countries and help to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to a new report. Most of the current research into nanotechnology is being done in the North, but there are important potential applications to fulfill the energy, health and food needs of the South, says Peter Singer, director of the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics (JCB) and co-author of the report.