Star Trek, medicine, ethics, nanotechnology and nursing.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read More Add to Saved list
  • Author(s): Grech V;Grech V
  • Source:
    Early human development [Early Hum Dev] 2020 Jun; Vol. 145, pp. 105014. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Mar 16.
  • Publication Type:
    Introductory Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Ireland NLM ID: 7708381 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-6232 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03783782 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Early Hum Dev Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Limerick : Elsevier
      Original Publication: Amsterdam, Elsevier/North-Holland.
    • Subject Terms:
      Artificial Intelligence* ; Ethics, Nursing* ; Motion Pictures* ; Nanotechnology*
    • Abstract:
      The first collection of Star Trek (ST) papers in this journal concentrated on the various doctors that appeared in ST in chronological screening order. This second collection will demonstrate that depictions of certain characters in ST harkens back to the high-ranking Nazis Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele, cautionary tales, lest we allow history to repeat itself and such atrocities to be relived. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also explored as well as issues pertaining to AI in the medical field and ST's introduction of "ethical subroutines" that attempt to ensure that artificial beings (including doctors) are created with the machine analogues of a conscience. Nanotechnology in ST is also shown to be a potential field that can be applied not only for medical benefit but also with malevolent intentions. These narratives also serve as cautionary tales with regard to the potential unintended consequences of completely unfettered research. Finally, another paper will review the role of nurses in the Star Trek universe and will show that while nursing as a profession has striven for autonomy, in ST, the nurse continues to be overshadowed by the medical doctor. It is hoped that this collection of papers may help us to understand where it is that medicine may be heading and what are our best options are for averting problems, tragedy and outright disaster/s.
      Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.
      (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20200321 Date Completed: 20210902 Latest Revision: 20210902
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105014
    • Accession Number:
      32192804