the technological imperative –is there room for ethics?
TRANSCRIPT
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
The Technological Imperative – is there room for ethics?
Presented byTim Wallace
Behaviour Consultant
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Technological Innovation
“Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Technological Innovation
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Technological Innovation
"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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
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)
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Contemporary examples of AT
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Contemporary examples of AT
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Contemporary examples of AT
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethics & Assistive Technology
� Is there consensus in relation to the ethical
use of Assistive Technology?
� Commonly shared principles:
• Autonomy
• Privacy
• Dignity
• Informed consent
• Complementary to care
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethics & Assistive Technology
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
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethical questions
MD2 Medication
Dispenser
� Autonomy
� Privacy
� Complementary to care
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethical questions
iKids GPS phone
� Autonomy
� Privacy
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethical questions
Calendar Clock
� Autonomy
� Dignity
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethical questions
LED Faucet Lights
� Autonomy
� Dignity
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethical questions
EXMOCARE watch
� Autonomy
� Privacy
� Dignity
� Complementary to care
� Informed consent
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethical questions
Boyfriend arm pillow
� Dignity
� Complementary to care
� Informed consent
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethics & Assistive Technology
Source: http://coba.aug.edu/ethics/images/ethics1.jpg
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethics & Assistive Technology
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethics & Assistive Technology
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethics & Assistive Technology
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Ethics & Assistive Technology
Alzheimer's Australia SA Inc
Further information
Contact details:
Tim Wallace
08 8372 2100