Business Ethics: Utilitarianism Analysis of AI and Robotics in Surgery

This essay examines the ethical considerations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in surgery through the lens of utilitarianism. It presents the core principles of utilitarianism, which evaluates the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its ability to maximize happiness or well-being. The essay then delves into the facts related to the use of robots in surgery, including the development of micro-sized robots for targeted drug delivery, the use of Xenex robots for hospital disinfection, and the Da Vinci surgical system for enhanced surgical precision. The analysis considers both the positive consequences of using robots in surgery, such as increased precision and the potential for remote surgery, and the negative consequences, including high costs, latency issues, and the need for specialized training. The essay concludes that while robotics has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, the current challenges outweigh the benefits, suggesting that further technological advancements are needed before widespread adoption can be ethically justified.

Business Ethics
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Running head: BUSINESS ETHICS

BUSINESS ETHICS
Utilitarianism- Artificial Intelligence, Robots and any new technology
a. Should robotics be used in surgery?
b. Advanced technologies are being implemented in every sector of the world and the
healthcare sector is no such exception. The greatest example of technological
advancements in the healthcare sector can be observed though the increased popularity
and use of robots in performing surgeries. There trend regarding the use of robotics has
not gained much acceptance as expected as there remains some doubts regarding its
effectiveness and ability which can risk the lives of patients.
c. The facts which are relevant to use of robots in surgery are as follows:
 As stated by Van (2016) researchers from Max Planck Institute have been
constantly experimenting with very small sized robots which are micro-sized that
has the ability to swim through body fluids of an individual in order to carry drugs
and other medical reliefs in a highly targeted manner.
 Statistics of the Centre for the Disease Control and Prevention states that in the
US, 1 out of every 25 patients contracts Hospital Acquired Infections such as
MRSA and C. diff, and 1 in 9 die. A special type of robot Xenex robot has been
developed which allows fast and effective disinfection of any space within a
healthcare facility by destroying deadly micro-organisms that cause Hospital
Acquired Infections. (M2 Presswire 2016)
 As stated by Bogue (2015) the Da Vinci surgical system enables a surgeon to
operate a patient with enhanced vision, precision and control by taking full
control over the robot. It enables the surgeon to operate through just a few small
incisions as the robotic system possesses highly magnified 3-D vision system and
tiny wristed instruments which can bend and rotate far greater than human hands.
 As stated by Tuisku et al. (2019) the current financial limitations of most of the
healthcare facilities in the Western countries have voiced concerns regarding the
use of robots in surgery as it is perceived as a privilege for few selected public
hospitals and private healthcare centres.
 As opined by Mettler, Sprenger and Winter (2017) in general surgery, there are no
such procedures which meets the criteria of unequalled procedure as most
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BUSINESS ETHICS
operations which are conducted with the Da Vinci robot can also be done with
laparoscopy which is a less expensive and simpler method.
 As stated by Riek (2017) The Journal of American Medical Associations has
published articles which concludes that robotics is not a better approach than
standard laparoscopy and the multiple surgeons who use a robot for performing
minimal invasive procedures lack necessary training in laparoscopy.
d. Utilitarianism is defined as a theory of ethics which helps in analysing whether an action
is justified right or wrong by the motivation behind the action. The action taken is
considered to be justified if it creates happiness to the performer of the action or
happiness to others who are affected by the action and vice versa.
The positive consequence of using robotics in surgery is as follows:
 Robotic surgery allows for much greater degree of precision and accuracy to be
achieved during the use of certain types of surgical procedures such as orthopaedic
surgery or neurological surgery.
 The use of robots ensures that surgeons can perform surgery from a distance which
helps in benefiting the quality of healthcare for the patients, as it involves reduction in
costs and increase in flexibility.
 The manipulation of robots by the surgeons from a centralized distance ensures that a
surgery can be done in a reduced restrictive manner which implies that a patient can
be operated with reduced staffs which helps in reducing costs.
The negative consequences of using robotics in surgery are as follows:
 Robotics technology is very much expensive in nature, both in terms of capital costs and
running expenses and it also requires highly skilled professionals to repair a robot or take
care of it which increases costs.
 The level of latency, which is defined as the delay in time between the instruction passed
by a surgeon and the action of the robot in response to the instruction can threaten the life
of a patient during critical surgeries and operations.
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BUSINESS ETHICS
 It requires high level of supervision and often there is lack of experienced personnel for
operating a robot during surgical procedures which creates concerns regarding the
efficiency of the surgery using robots.
e. There are certain positive consequences which are associated with using robot during
surgery such as greater accuracy and precision during surgery and requirement of less
supervisors. While negative consequences associated with use of robot in surgery
outweighs benefits in the form of increased costs, level of latency and lack of qualified
personnel’s for operating the robots. Therefore it can be stated that robotics have the
potential to change the fate of healthcare industry through its offerings but in order to
reach that stage it requires technological advancements.
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BUSINESS ETHICS
References
Bogue, R. (2015). Miniature and microrobots: A review of recent developments. The Industrial
Robot, [Online]42(2), 98-102. Available at https://search.proquest.com/docview/1664089981?
accountid=30552 Accessed on 25/3/2019
M2 Presswire (2016). Medical robotics industry market is driven by introduction of robots in
surgical, rehabilitation, hospital, lab automation assistance, pharmacy automation and
telemedicine! M2 Presswire [Online]Available at
https://search.proquest.com/docview/1797482091?accountid=30552 Accessed on 25/3/2019
Mettler, T., Sprenger, M., and Winter, R. (2017). Service robots in hospitals: New perspectives
on niche evolution and technology affordances. European Journal of Information
Systems, [Online]26(5), 451-468. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/s41303-017-0046-1 Accessed on
25/3/2019
Riek, L. D. (2017). Healthcare robotics. Association for Computing Machinery. Communications
of the ACM, [Online] 60(11), 68. Available at https://search.proquest.com/docview/1978671444?
accountid=30552 Accessed on 25/3/2019
Tuisku, O., Pekkarinen, S., Hennala, L., and Melkas, H. (2019). “Robots do not replace a nurse
with a beating heart”. Information Technology & People, [Online] 32(1), 47-67.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ITP-06-2018-0277 Accessed on 25/3/2019
Van W, A. (2016). Service robots, care ethics, and design. Ethics and Information
Technology, [Online]18(4), 311-321. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10676-016-9409-x Accessed
on 25/3/2019
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