Advances in Technology and Genetics - Influences on Health Care Delivery

ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND GENETICS

Advances in technology and genetics have occurred with greater frequency during the past several decades than in all other peri-ods of civilization. Sophisticated techniques and devices have rev-olutionized surgery and diagnostic testing, making it possible to perform many procedures and tests on an outpatient basis. In-creased knowledge and understanding of genetics has resulted in expanded screening, diagnostic testing, and treatments for a va-riety of conditions. This is also an era of sophisticated communi-cation systems that connect most parts of the world, with the capability of rapid storage, retrieval, and dissemination of infor-mation. Such scientific and technological advances are themselves stimulating brisk change as well as swift obsolescence in health care delivery strategies. The advances in technology and genetics have raised many ethical issues for the health care system, health care providers, and society.