Future technological implications of demographic changes into the 21st century

Throughout history there has been a constant interaction between the presence or absence of technological developments and demography. Technology in general and health technologies in particular have contributed to substantial changes in the demographic situation to the extent that even the morbidity and mortality patterns have adapted to technological progress. It is speculated that the demographic imperative will, during the third millennium, shift the centre of gravity of our world towards the Pacific basin. This in turn may influence our norms, values and practice of health care to the same extent as colonialism permeated the African, Asian and American health systems during the period of colonialism.