The Technological Imperative â€“is there room for ethics?

Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc

The Technological Imperative – is there room for ethics?

Presented byTim Wallace

Behaviour Consultant


Technological Innovation

“Everything that can be invented has been invented.”

Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899



U.S Patents granted 1790-2004

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

1790 1820 1851 1882 1910 1941 1971 2002

Source: U.S Patent & Trademark Office



"The ordinary 'horseless carriage‘ is at present a luxury for the wealthy; and although its price will probably fall in the future, it will never, of course, come into as common use

as the bicycle."

The Literary Digest, October 14, 1899


Health expenditure

Health expenditure

-

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

1970 1980 1990 2003

Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. OECD

Health Data 2006

% o

f G

DP

Australia Belgium Canada

France Ireland Japan

Switzerland United Kingdom United States


Health expenditure

Hip & Knee replacements per year in Australia

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Source: National Joint Replacement Registry 2006

Num

ber

Hip replacement

Knee replacement


Health expenditure

Health expenditure by age and type 2002-2003

0

2500

5000

7500

10000

12500

15000

17500

0-4

5-9

10-1

4

15-1

9

20-2

4

25-2

9

30-3

4

35-3

9

40-4

4

45-4

9

50-5

4

55-5

9

60-6

4

65-6

9

70-7

4

75-7

9

80-8

4

85+

Source: Economic Implications of an Ageing Australia 2005

$/p

ers

on

Hospital

Medicare

PBS

Australian Government other

State other

Total


Dementia and the future

Dementia estimates: Australia 2000-2050

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Th

ou

san

ds

Source: Access Economics 2005

Females

Males


Dementia and the future

Older female carers relative to the population in need

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

2000-01 2010-11 2020-21 2030-31 2040-41 2050-51

Source: Economic Impacts for an Ageing Australia 2005

Po

pu

lati

on

at

risk (

'000)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

Care

rs p

er

at

risk p

ers

on

At risk population (80+)

Carer Ratio


Assistive Technology

“Assistive technology is any device…that is used to increase, maintain, or

improve functional capabilities of individuals with cognitive, physical

or communicative disabilities.”

(Marshall, 2000; p3)


Contemporary examples of AT






Ethics & Assistive Technology

� Ethics are:• A set of principles• About individuals and

society• Concerned with ‘right’

and ‘wrong’• A process and/or an

outcome• Absolute or relative

� Ethics are not:• Universally defined or

agreed uponSource: http://coba.aug.edu/ethics/images/ethics1.jpg



� Is there consensus in relation to the ethical

use of Assistive Technology?

� Commonly shared principles:

• Autonomy

• Privacy

• Dignity

• Informed consent

• Complementary to care



These principles prompt questions for

exploring the ethical use of a specific

Assistive Technology

• In a specific situation

• With a specific individual

• At a specific point in time

• For a specific and explicit purpose


Ethical questions

MD2 Medication

Dispenser

� Autonomy

� Privacy

� Complementary to care


Ethical questions

iKids GPS phone

� Autonomy

� Privacy


Ethical questions

Calendar Clock

� Autonomy

� Dignity


Ethical questions

LED Faucet Lights

� Autonomy

� Dignity


Ethical questions

EXMOCARE watch

� Autonomy

� Privacy

� Dignity


� Informed consent


Ethical questions

Boyfriend arm pillow

� Dignity


� Informed consent



Source: http://coba.aug.edu/ethics/images/ethics1.jpg










Further information

Contact details:

Tim Wallace

[email protected]

08 8372 2100

Documents

The Technological Imperative â€“is there room for ethics?