Emerging Health Technologies and the International Community
In 1988, Isaac Asimov wrote, “Science in the service of humanity is technology, but lack of
wisdom may make the service harmful.” Thirty-eight years later, his statement has become ever more
prevalent with the proliferation of technology. Technological advancements in the 21st century have
accelerated human progress. And yet, most instruments remain double-edged, yet to be fully explored.
Their ever-evolving nature, which serves as a source of hope for our future and our potential
capabilities, also risks compromising all we know and stand for.
In the medical field, particularly, emerging medical technologies are subject to intense scrutiny.
Healthcare is greatly enabled by technology, which increases convenience for both medical
practitioners and patients. One example is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
algorithms, which the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) claims “can process vast amounts of data
quickly, allowing healthcare providers and administrators to quickly implement targeted solutions for
individual patients and entire populations” (Hurd). Despite that, AI raises concerns, especially in how
it uses data. Primarily, medical data provided to train diagnostic models may violate patient-doctor
confidentiality and jeopardize patient privacy, especially if the data is harvested and supplied without
the patient’s knowledge. Additionally, medical data can both “perpetuate bias” and inaccurately
represent ethnic, racial, and cultural minorities; “without socioeconomic considerations based on
patients’ daily lives, treatment could suffer” (Stetler).
Telemedicine is also a field that is widely debated. Specifically, its use of Remote Patient
Monitoring (RPM) systems. RPM systems include heart monitors, glucometers, oxygen monitors, and
many more— all of which deliver key patient metrics to medical staff for processing and monitoring.
RPM systems (“Using Remote Patient Monitoring”). The National Institute of Health conducted a
systematic review on the benefits and challenges of RPM — a primary benefit of using RPM is
obtaining data between inpatient visits, post-diagnosis, that “continuous monitoring allows clinicians
to identify deterioration earlier and provide prompt care” (Serrano et al.). However, RPM systems, like
all technological systems, are also prone to issues such as “data inaccuracy” that often results in
incorrect treatment, alongside patient “disorientation” (Serrano et al.).
A variety of ethical dilemmas arise from these emerging technologies and services. To what
extent should a physician employ technological support? What human oversight is necessary for the
proper use of these technologies? Who should be held accountable for a misdiagnosis? When should a
practitioner refuse to diagnose virtually?
That’s not all—outside of the diagnosis realm, other bio-engineered devices open up doors to gene
editing and modification. One such example is CRISPR-Cas9, which “makes it possible to correct
errors in the genome and turn on or off genes in cells and organisms quickly, cheaply and with relative
ease”; simply put, CRISPR-Cas9 makes it possible to correct "genetic disorders” (Redman et al.). Are
genetic modifications capable of changing human identity allowed under International law?
“European legislation and acts of international law prohibit genetic modification of human embryos”,
making it illegal to conduct germline editing (Krekora-Zając). However, this line is often blurred with
the legality of somatic gene editing for non-reproductive cells, which assist the development of critical
gene therapies and cures.
To address the ever-evolving nature of medical technologies, alongside international
frameworks like the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights, there has been
action from independent nation-states and regional bodies. An example of this is the recent use of the
European Union’s Medical Device Conformity Assessments (CE), which are essentially “a review of
the manufacturer’s technical documentation regarding the product’s performance and safety” (Patryn
et al.). The CE is a provision under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR), “the new set of
regulations applying to all medical devices intended for market in the EU” (“MDR FAQ Compliance |
Nelson Labs”). Most EU actors have legislation stipulating compliance with the MDR for any medical
use of Robotics, AI/ML technologies, and wearable technologies.
Nevertheless, there remain gaps in these protocols and legislations. Most standards lack
“subjective limitations” to this advancing technology, or fail to account for relativistic morality
(Krekora-Zając). Medical Technologies”). The MDR creates administrative lags and red tape that
inhibit competition and innovation within the medical field (“EU MDR: Latest Developments,
Challenges, and What You Need to Know - Arrotek | Medical Device Innovation”).
Not only does the International Community need to address the ethics of medical technology,
develop comprehensive checks on health technologies, and encourage technological innovation, but
they also have to bridge the digital divide. Technological disparity and inequality are deeply rooted in
underdeveloped and developing nations. Most actors in the Global South lack both critical medical
infrastructure and investment for medical “Research and Development” (R&D). In accordance with
the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 9, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”, and
10, “Reduced Inequalities”, it falls on International Bodies and individual states to foster partnerships
between developed and underdeveloped nations to achieve these ambitious targets (“The 17
Sustainable Development Goals”).
Ultimately, medical technologies remain key to the medical industry, but they are undoubtedly
imperfect. The International community must first and foremost recognize the progression of
technology, ruling out the possibility of rigid bounds and choke-out legislation. From advancing
current oversight to safeguard patients, and capacity building in the Global South. They should aim to
adopt solutions that truly weigh and consider the application of healthcare technologies and their place
in the world.
Works Cited
“EU MDR: Latest Developments, Challenges, and What You Need to Know - Arrotek | Medical
Device Innovation.” Arrotek | Medical Device Innovation, 3 July 2025,
arrotek.com/en/eu-mdr-latest-developments-challenges-and-what-you-need-to-know/.
Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Harasimowicz, Karolina. Poland Emerging Telemedicine.
www.dpublication.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/003-921.pdf.
Hurd, Becky. “Emerging Healthcare Technology: What’s next in Healthcare? - Nevada State
University.” Nevada State University, 20 June 2025,
nevadastate.edu/son/rn-bsn/emerging-healthcare-technology-whats-next-in-healthcare/.
Krekora-Zając, Dorota. “Civil Liability for Damages Related to Germline and Embryo Editing against
the Legal Admissibility of Gene Editing.” Palgrave Communications, vol. 6, no. 1, Feb. 2020,
pp. 1–8, https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-0399-2. Accessed 26 July 2020.
“MDR FAQ Compliance | Nelson Labs.” Nelson Labs, 5 Sept. 2025, www.nelsonlabs.com/mdr/faq/.
Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Patryn, Rafał, et al. “Safety of Medical Devices in Poland – Analysis of Withdrawn and Suspended
Certificates of Compliance.” Medical Devices: Evidence and Research, vol. Volume 14, July
2021, pp. 239–47, https://doi.org/10.2147/mder.s316473. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.
Redman, Melody, et al. “What Is CRISPR/Cas9?” Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education &
Practice Edition, vol. 101, no. 4, Apr. 2016, pp. 213–15,
https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2016-310459.
Serrano, Luiza Palmieri, et al. “Benefits and Challenges of Remote Patient Monitoring as Perceived by
Health Care Practitioners: A Systematic Review.” The Permanente Journal, vol. 27, no. 4, The
Permanente Press, Sept. 2023, pp. 1–12, https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/23.022.
Stetler, Carrie. “AI Algorithms Used in Healthcare Can Perpetuate Bias.” Rutgers.edu, 14 Nov. 2024,
www.newark.rutgers.edu/news/ai-algorithms-used-healthcare-can-perpetuate-bias.
“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals.” United Nations, 2015, sdgs.un.org/goals.
“Using Remote Patient Monitoring.” Telehealth.hhs.gov, 2024,
telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/telehealth-and-remote-patient-monitoring/u
sing-remote-patient.
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