Introduction of new medical technologies: an international and ethical perspective

Recent advances in biomedical technologies have significantly improved our capacities for the diagnosis and treatment of medical ailments. However, such technologies have also been blamed for increased medical costs. Ethical questions have been raised regarding the availability and use of such medical technologies. In recent years, the managed care companies in the USA have imposed severe cost constraints, thus limiting the development and introduction of new medical technologies. The ethical implications of such management issues are presented. Moreover, increased difficulty in getting FDA approval for medical technologies in the USA has recently led to the introduction of some technologies first in foreign countries. Ethical issues related to animal testing, clinical trials and use of medical technologies conducted overseas are discussed.