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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">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).<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
On 2016-01-08 01:51, spike wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we have Fitbit:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/01/07/fitbit-being-sued-for-faulty-heart-rate-tracking.html?intcmp=hplnws">http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/01/07/fitbit-being-sued-for-faulty-heart-rate-tracking.html?intcmp=hplnws</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Other predictions?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">spike<o:p></o:p></p>
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<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Dr Anders Sandberg
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Oxford University
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