Assessment of changing technologies in medicine

Technology is the outcome of man's use of tools and reason to change the environment to his benefit. New technology creates opportunities for some and threats for others. New technology will be dramatically influenced by the political, social, economic, and ethical milieu in which it develops. An overriding concern in the near future may be cost. Cost-benefit analysis/cost-effectiveness analysis can be a helpful planning tool but should not be used exclusively to plan for technological change. Knowledge of the humanities as well as a science will be essential if we are to make the decisions needed as we approach the 21st century.