Race and Ethics in the Design of Biomedical Technologies

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center's Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine invites you to attend The Daniel W. Foster M.D. Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics (in conjunction with Ethics Grand Rounds). 

RACE AND ETHICS IN THE DESIGN OF BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES: THE PULSE OXIMETER AS A CASE IN POINT

Speaker: Dr. Rosalyn Berne, The Anne Shirley Carter Olsson Professor of Applied Ethics, Department of Engineering and Society, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia

Tuesday, November 9, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Eastern

There were clear indications from studies done in 2005 and 2007 that pulse oximeters overestimate arterial oxygen saturation during hypoxia in dark-skinned individuals. And yet, years later, the device remains essentially unaltered. This disregard has been particularly significant during the coronavirus pandemic. Patients diagnosed with Covid-19 who present with silent hypoxemia, but are not sick enough to warrant hospital admission, have been guided to monitor their arterial oxygenation by pulse oximetry at home, and present for care when they show evidence of hypoxemia. Others in the general public have used the device simply for personal assurance. Whether or not these uses are appropriate is debatable. Nevertheless, that a racial bias is embedded in this technology is indisputable. The pulse oximeter serves as a timely case in point of how race can become a matter of ethics in the design of biomedical devices.

This lecture will be conducted via Zoom. While there is no registration fee, you must register to attend. To register, please click here.

Upon registration, you will receive the Zoom event ID and link to join the webinar