HIE Library Archive 2000  

By Ahmad Risk

In an editorial in the 6 February 1999 issue, Abi Berger, the Science Editor of the BMJ writes  to issue an invitation to begin the debate on the impact of new technologies in medicine.

The BMJ intends to devote an entire issue of the journal to this debate, in collaboration with other medical journals worldwide.  This issue is planned for November 1999 and there is a call for papers (see the website for details)

This is a very welcome initiative by the BMJ, who has been moving towards an intelligent embracing of new technologies themselves over the past couple of years.  Certainly, the online edition of the BMJ might be regarded as a small revolution in the exploitation of new publishing media

Abi Berger states that the aim of that special issue is to stimulate the BMJ readers to think about the impact of technology so that they are better prepared for it and more equipped to shape its direction.

The BMJ takes a very broad view of new technologies and asserts that it is not only about machines, but also about the thought processes involved and the ethical and sociological examination that needs to be done.

This means that the special 'new technologies in medicine' issue will highlight some of the ways technologies like microsurgery, informatics and gene therapy may  improve the quality of patients' lives, it will also debate the numerous ethical issues like the doctor-patient relationship, expensive prolongation of life, the widening gap between rich and poor nations and how to regulate the anarchic revolution that is taking place around us.  An important part of all this will be the examination of the fears of many people that result from this fast moving development and barriers that are built as a result.

The neo-Luddites hit back:

Meanwhile, Daniel S Greenberg calls for the 'deletion of the technological revolution' in an article published in the Lancet of 27 February 1999

Greenberg coins the intriguing phrase: " the renaissance of the Luddites spirit" and calls for more of that spirit and less of what he sees as the computer revolution that will shatter society, culture, economy and public safety.

He discusses the impending dysfunctional world at and around the year 2000 that extend way beyond just electronic meltdown.  He goes on to raise some very important issues about the impact of the computer and its offshoot, the Internet on society.  He lists amongst other dangers the risks to privacy of personal health information, the exposure of children to dangerous materials and encounters on the Internet, the growing financial fraud that exploits the elderly, the proliferation of gambling and the ease of perpetuating the social isolation of those unable to form "non-electronic relationships".

Greenberg fears that his laments will be met by the stock answer of the technophiles: ' the computer technology is different'!

I would be very keen to see the broad remit of the BMJ's initiative in November being broad enough to allow and accommodate serious contributions from the neo-Luddites.

Ahmad Risk
5 March 1999

The Luddites: early 19th century workers who embarked on sabotaging their equipment as the newly emerging technologies of the industrial revolution began to threaten their jobs and livelihoods.