The use of digital twins in healthcare : socio-ethical benefits and socio-ethical risks

Life Sciences, Society and Policy 17 (1) (2021)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Anticipating the ethical impact of emerging technologies is an essential part of responsible innovation. One such emergent technology is the digital twin which we define here as a living replica of a physical system. A digital twin combines various emerging technologies such as AI, Internet of Things, big data and robotics, each component bringing its own socio-ethical issues to the resulting artefacts. The question thus arises which of these socio-ethical themes surface in the process and how they are perceived by stakeholders in the field. In this report we present the results of a qualitative study into the socio-ethical benefits and socio-ethical risks of using digital twins in healthcare. Employing insights from ethics of technology and the Quadruple Helix theory of innovation, we conducted desk research of white literature and 23 interviews with representatives from the four helixes: industry, research, policy and civil society. The ethical scan revealed several important areas where the digital twin can produce socio-ethical value but also several important areas of socio-ethical risks. We conclude with a reflection on the employed analytical tool and suggestions for further research.

Other Versions

No versions found

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 99,484

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Responsibility for assisted living technologies.Erik Thorstensen - 2015 - Etikk I Praksis - Nordic Journal of Applied Ethics 1:55-80.

Analytics

Added to PP
2021-07-15

Downloads
25 (#753,107)

6 months
4 (#1,151,070)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

References found in this work

The meaning of 'meaning'.Hilary Putnam - 1975 - Minnesota Studies in the Philosophy of Science 7:131-193.
Spheres of Justice: A Defense of Pluralism and Equality.Michael Walzer - 1983 - Journal of Business Ethics 4 (1):63-64.
Pluralism, Justice, and Equality.David Miller & Michael Walzer (eds.) - 1995 - Oxford University Press.
The inconceivability of zombies.Robert Kirk - 2008 - Philosophical Studies 139 (1):73-89.

View all 9 references / Add more references