Saha, S., Bronzino, J. D. Ethical Issues Associated with the Use of Medical Technology.

The Biomedical Engineering Handbook: Second Edition.

Ed. Joseph D. Bronzino
Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC, 2000

XX
Ethical Issues
Associated
with the Use
of Medical
Technology
Subrata Saha
Clemson University

Joseph D. Bronzino
Trinity College/Biomedical Engineering Alliance
for Connecticut (BEACON)
189 Professional Ethics in Biomedical Engineering Daniel E. Wueste
A Variety of Norms Govern Human Contact Professional Ethics and Ethics Plain and
Simple Professions The Profession of Biomedical Engineering Two Sources of
Professional Ethics Professional Ethics in Biomedical Engineering Tools for Design and
Decision in Professional Ethics Professional Integrity, Responsibility, and Codes

190 Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, and Technological Progress Joseph D. Bronzino

Defining Death: A Moral Dilemma Posed by Medical Technology Euthanasia

191 Ethical Issues of Animal and Human Experimentation in the Development of

Medical Devices Subrata Saha, Pamela S. Saha
Clinical Trials Animal Experimentation

192 Regulation of Medical Device Innovation Joseph D. Bronzino

Ethical Issues in Feasibility Studies Ethical Issues in Emergency Use Ethical Issues in
Treatment Use The Safe Medical Devices Act

2000 by CRC Press LLC

iomedical engineering is responsible for many of the recent advances in modern medicine. These
developments have led to new treatment modalities that have significantly improved not only
medical care, but the quality of life for many patients in our society. However, along with such
positive outcomes new ethical dilemmas and challenges have also emerged. These include: (1) involvement
of humans in clinical research, (2) definition of death and the issue of euthanasia, (3) animal experimentation and human trials for new medical devices, (4) patient access to sophisticated and high cost
medical technology, (5) regulation of new biomaterials and devices. With these issues in mind, this section
discusses some of these topics. The first chapter focuses on the concept of professional ethics and its
importance to the practicing biomedical engineer. The second chapter deals with the role medical
technology has played in the definition of death and the dilemmas posed by advocates of euthanasia.
The third chapter focuses on the use of animals and humans in research and clinical experimentation.
The final chapter addresses the issue of regulating the use of devices, materials, etc. in the care of patients.
Since the space allocated in this Handbook is limited, a complete discussion of the many ethical
dilemmas encountered by practicing biomedical engineers is beyond the scope of this section. Therefore,
it is our sincere hope that the readers of this Handbook will further explore these ideas from other texts
and articles, some of which are referenced at the end of the chapter. Clearly, a course on biomedical
ethics should be an essential component of any bioengineering curriculum.
With new developments in biotechnology and genetic engineering, we need to ask ourselves not only
if we can do it, but also should it be done? As professional engineers we also have an obligation to
educate the public and other regulatory agencies regarding the social implications of such new developments. It is our hope that the topics covered in this section can provide an impetus for further discussion
of the ethical issues and challenges faced by the bioengineer during the course of his/her professional life.

2000 by CRC Press LLC