Recent technological advancements in healthcare, including genetically modified babies, smartphone medical devices, and AI-assisted surgeries, present profound ethical and societal challenges.
When we develop new medical technologies, did we take the time to consider the legal, ethical, and social ramifications of these advances?
- Where do we draw the line; how much
advancements are enough?
- Could the new tech change social norms?
- How will these advances change the roles of
healthcare professionals?
What will happen to our bodies?
As we begin to develop more advanced technology to replace or enhance our body, will our definition of imperfection change? Will different body composition widen wealth gaps and the class divide?
What happens to those replaced by tech?
As technologies continue to replace human staffs, what will happen to the existing health care workers? What impact will this have on society?
Is it worth it?
We are making life easier and health care more accessible. But is it worth sacrificing human interactions? With technology, the values of empathy and compassion will most likely be lost.
Scientist Creates First Genetically Modified CRISPr Baby
- This challenges ethical assumptions.
- This could scale to affect future societies; potential to widen
wealth gap and class divide.
- When this becomes mainstream, societal views of
"imperfection" will never be the same (what we consider to
be "normal" now may become imperfect in the future).
Amazon & Medical Data
- As data are sold to corporations, will they be used to
improve healthcare or other unintended purposes (eg.
advertising)?
Source: The Verge
When Computers Cut Your Insurance
- When this becomes mainstream, people will be treated as
data points rather than multidimensional beings.
- It will also become difficult to get transparency & dispute the
computer's decisions.
Source: The Verge
Malpractice by Computers
- When diagnostic algorithms become mainstream, doctors will
be replaced by algorithms.
- There will be changes in the legal ramifications of
malpractice; are the programs at fault or the program users?
Source: medicalfuturist.com
Smartphone Ultrasound Technology
So what: Your smart phone is now a medical device.
This could scale to affect:
- Could take jobs (ultrasound techs) away.
- Cheaper alternatives to expensive equipments
now possible.
Similar Example: NETRA App Can Detect Problems of the Eye (eg. hyperopia) with a $200 attachment
Similar Example: Mobile Stethoscope App (Using Microphone)
Bioelectronic Medicine for Chronic Conditions and Restoring the NS
- This challenges pharmacological assumptions.
- This could scale to affect patient life style and
the use of technology in medicine.
Source: (Incomprehensible writing)
iPad App Used to Assist Surgeries
This changes the limitations of surgery leading to:
- More precise procedures
- Better decisions in less time
This could scale to affect:
- We could see "the human" taken out of
medicine.
- Artificial intelligence will replace surgeons.
- Fewer limitations to surgery.
The Future of Health Care
Emerging Tech
"Up and coming" technology that we can't visualize the potential implications of... yet.
Emerged Tech
Technology that's gaining traction and becoming popular. We are already starting to see their legal, social, cultural and ethical implications.