John Armin*
When anticipating ethical issues associated with biomedical technologies, this article argues that it is helpful to begin with an examination of implied disease concepts. Additionally, it demonstrates that this can be accomplished at an early stage. When a technology is still in its infancy molecular medicine is the specific case that is being examined here. A "cascade model" of disease processes and a personal pattern" model of bodily function are combined in this group of new technologies. While the first's ethical implications are somewhat reminiscent of earlier, albeit contentious, preventive and predictive medicine methods, the seconds are quite novel and could have far-reaching implications.
KeywordsConcept of disease; Ethics; Emerging technology; Epistemology; Molecular medicine; personalized medicine; Health technology assessment
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