[ExI] fitbit being sued

[Anders Sandberg]

I think the core problem is that (1) we want some form of quality 
control over healthcare devices, and (2) healthcare is very much still 
run as a medieval guild (overseen by court-appointed wizards).

The problem is of course that (2) is becoming unstable as more and more 
devices can perform health-related things, both because they are 
designed for it, or we find that domains such as nutrition and exercise 
have profound health effects. (1) is also unstable, since the rapid rate 
of technological change makes testing fast enough hard, not to mention 
the huge costs of doing it right. Incentives are hence strong to just 
promote broad claims.


On 2016-01-08 01:51, spike wrote:
>
> Short version: 23andMe was giving out results of user surveys based on 
> a hundred dollar DNA kit. The FDA declared this use of the information 
> made the kit itself a medical instrument.  The price for 23andMe was 
> doubled and the amount of information they offer was cut in half.
>
> Now we have Fitbit:
>
> http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/01/07/fitbit-being-sued-for-faulty-heart-rate-tracking.html?intcmp=hplnws
>
> Based on the 23andMe precedent, I predict a Fitbit will be declared a 
> medical instrument.  Clearly no medical instrument can be sold for 250 
> bucks.  Those little rubber hammers used to tap your knee just to 
> verify you are still alive cost more than 250 dollars.  Those little 
> wooden sticks they use to depress the tongue cost more than 250 
> dollars.  Each.  This will end Fitbit.
>
> Other predictions?
>
> spike
>
>
>
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-- 
Dr Anders Sandberg
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Oxford University

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