Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
and it is not clear how present changes in the system (toward privatization)
will evolve and stabilize. In addition, there is the issue of electronic patient
records (EPRs) and how these will be used.
12.2 Understanding and Managing Societal Embedding
Understanding and managing the societal embedment of potential break-
through technologies is attractive to look at in early stages of technological
development (Rip et al. 1995). The main motivation for this early analysis
is because the state of affairs is more compliant and susceptible to change
at this stage. Promises and expectations are imperative entrance points
for analysis in early stages of technology development. Promises have the
form of compact stories about the potential role of the findings (technologi-
cal options) in a future world where they should function in. These are in
fact diffuse scenarios and can be traced and judged on their consistency and
plausibility. Constructive technology assessment provides the tools to make
such assessment on the basis of the conceptualization of innovation process
as coevolution of technological and societal change. Therefore, anticipation
on ethical, legal, and societal aspects represents an opportunity to address
gaps in the innovation chain. To this end, constructive technology assess-
ment puts emphasis on anticipation informed by dynamics of emergence
combined with broadening the technology design processes by bringing
together and reflecting on multiple stakeholder perspectives (Schot and Rip
1997). Thereby, it is recognized that eventual impacts are always the result
of interactions among various groups such as technology developers, users,
governments, NGOs, and others.
12.2.1 Diagnosis of Gaps in Innovation Chain:
Case of Body Area Networks
Road mapping has been widely recognized as a fruitful method to coor-
dinate action in order to create alignment for creating intentional tech-
nological paths. However, owing to lack of obvious drivers, many of the
developments needed for the development of BAN technologies (specifi-
cally the “More than Moore” domain) cannot be road mapped (van Hoof
2006). Instead, for most of More than Moore* technologies, visionary appli-
cation drivers are used that can provide guidance in development and
*
More than Moore (MtM) explores a new area of micro/nanoelectronics, which reaches beyond
the boundaries of conventional semiconductor technologies and applications. Creating and
integrating various nondigital functionality to semiconductor products, MtM focuses on cre-
ating high-value micro/nanoelectronics systems, motivating new technological possibilities
and unlimited application potential (Zhang et al. 2006).
