This document discusses various topics related to ethics and computing, particularly in healthcare. It begins with a brief historical perspective on ethics and computing. Some general topics in ethics and computing are then listed, such as privacy, security, algorithmic bias, and the future of work. The document focuses on several topics in healthcare related to ethics and computing, including healthcare databases, the use of robots in eldercare, genetic editing, and neural/brain interfaces and implants. For each topic, the main ethical issues are discussed.

1. Ethics and Computing
Related to Healthcare
Bobby Schnabel
Professor and External Chair of Computer Science, CU-Boulder

2. Contents
• Brief Historical Perspective on Ethics and Computing
• (List of) Some General Topics in Ethics and Computing
• Some Topics in Healthcare Related to Ethics and Computing
• Healthcare Databases
• Use of Robots in Eldercare
• Genetic Editing
• Neural / Brain Interfaces and Implants
• Discussion (throughout and all of remaining time)

3. Prog Lang
Op Sys
Theory
The Evolution of Computer Science
Way Before Internet

4. Graphics
HCI AI
Databases Security
Prog Lang
Op Sys
Theory
Soft Eng Sci Comp
Before Internet
and
Personal Computing

5. Graphics
Databases
HCI AI
Security
Prog Lang
Op Sys
Theory
BIO Health
Media
Enter
tain
ment
Transportation
Soft Eng Sci Comp
After Internet
and
Personal Computing

6. Transformation of computing from a
technical field to a socio-technical field
A discipline which initially and for many decades was
overwhelmingly technical is becoming increasingly integrated
with human and societal issues
• Transition started decades ago with personal computers
• Accelerated by use of computing for basic human activities such as
social networking, health/elder care, autonomous vehicles, …

7. Graphics
Databases
HCI AI
Security
Prog Lang
Op Sys
Theory
BIO Health
Media
Entertain-
ment
Transportation
Soft Eng Sci Comp
BIO Health
Prog Lang
Op Sys
Theory
Transportation
Enter
tain
ment
Media
Graphics
Databases Security
Soft Eng Sci Comp
HCI AI
Ethics
Law
Sociology Anthropology
Psychology
Local
Cultures

8. Graphics
Databases
HCI AI
Security
Prog Lang
Op Sys
Theory
BIO Health
Media
Entertain-
ment
Transportation
Soft Eng Sci Comp
BIO Health
Prog Lang
Op Sys
Theory
Transportation
Enter
tain
ment
Media
Graphics
Databases Security
Soft Eng Sci Comp
HCI AI
Ethics
Law
Sociology Anthropology
Psychology
Local
Cultures
Data Science
Statistics

9. Some General Topics in Ethics and Computing
• Privacy
• Security
• Algorithmic Bias
• Misinformation
• Facial Recognition
• Gender and Race (in workforce
and in algorithms)
• Robotics including uses in
healthcare/eldercare and in warfare
• Autonomous Vehicles
• Intellectual Property
• Automation and the Future of Work
• Applications in Healthcare

10. Technology and the Future of Work
• Some endangered jobs (indicative range):
 Finance (analysis, insurance, accounting, cashier)
 Drivers (truck, taxi)
 Manufacturing
 Construction (bricklaying, roofing, …)
 Line cooks
 Paralegal
• Global impact, varying estimates, high %
• Will new jobs arise to replace, or will there be
a need for universal basic income, or …?

11. Some Topics in Healthcare
Related to Ethics and Computing
• Healthcare Databases
• Uses of Robots in Eldercare
• Genetic Editing
• Neural / Brain Interfaces and Implants

12. Healthcare Databases
• Unified databases offer potential for detecting patterns and
improved diagnoses (as well as convenience)
• Example: Israel – 20 years of semi-unified clinical records –
articles talk of uses in early detection of kidney disease and
colon cancer, as well as work with Mayo Clinic in using voice
characteristics to detect heart disease
• USA: widely disparate database systems – Google Project
Nightingale tried to produce unified database but controversial
due to not informing patients, doctors; HIPPA doesn’t apply
• Main ethical issue: privacy

13. Uses of Robots in Eldercare
• Already being piloted in eldercare facilities in US and
elsewhere, often with considerable human oversight
• Examples: 1) Lead group activities such as Bingo; 2) Personal
conversation for patients with dementia; 3) Robotic “pets”; 4)
possibly simple clinical tasks (vital signs)
• Main ethical issues and questions: 1) when does having human
vs. robot lead to best results for elderly?; 2) are we taking
away jobs vs. freeing humans to do what humans do best and
addressing labor shortage? (Note: robots don’t get tired)

14. Genetic Editing
• Sequencing of human genome combined with CRISPR-Cas9
(“genetic scissors”) producing potential for genetic editing
• Genetic editing has potential to cure diseases stemming from
genetic mutations, starting with single gene diseases.
Examples mentioned include blood disorders such as sickle cell
anemia, beta thalassemia. Treating blindness also underway.
• Many aspects not fully understood yet including risks, long
terms impacts, side effects
• Main ethical issues: 1) what issues are appropriate to treat?; 2)
cost and access

15. Neural / Brain Interfaces and Implants
• Still at very early stages and highly speculative
• Some efforts, e.g. to deal with paralysis, have been ongoing for
years, involve invasive surgery
• Most publicized futurist venture is Elon Musk’s Neuralink
company – aiming to produce non-invasive connectivity to
brain. Very early stages and prospects unclear.
• Main ethical issues: 1) what issues are appropriate to treat?;
2) what enhancements are appropriate to make (including
discussions of “superintelligence”?; 3) cost and access.

16. DISCUSSION