麻豆AV

Rise of the Planet of the Apps: Ethical and Legal Considerations of mhealth Apps in Medical Research

Ma'n Zawati (麻豆AV)
Tuesday March 12, 12-1pm
Montreal Neurological Institute, deGrandpre Communications Centre

Abstract: Wearable and mobile devices that record and organize personal health information are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. Many of us own devices capable of tracking our activities, counting our steps, estimating our caloric intake, measuring the quality of our sleep, and even recording our heart rate. And while this kind of information promises to empower consumers, enabling them to better understand their health and fitness, such technologies also raise certain legal and ethical questions about data management and privacy when used in medical research. Such data, while seemingly innocuous, is often capable of revealing a great deal about a person's underlying health, their daily habits, and even, sometimes, their identity. The prevalence and power of wearables and other mobile devices indicates that accounting for these potential legal and ethical concerns is necessary. In this presentation, I will outline some of the legal concerns raised by this emerging technology using the Canadian legal landscape and describe whether it may be harnessed in ways that empower participants and society as a whole.