Innovating Ethically: The Sky is Not the Limit

In the optimistic dawn of the space age, humanity glimpsed the boundless possibilities that lay beyond our earthly confines. Two monumental events stand out—the triumphant 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing and the tragic 1986 Challenger explosion— providing disparate metaphors for technological advances in healthcare and urging us to ponder the ethical dimensions and health equity entwined within innovations.

When Neil Armstrong took that famed "one small step" on the moon in 1969, the world held its collective breath, witnessing the pinnacle of technological achievement. This was not just a victory for the United States but a triumph for all mankind. That moment encapsulated the audacious spirit, collaboration, and sheer ingenuity of thousands of scientists, engineers, and workers.

Granted I wasn’t around to see the glorious event but as I fly in the sky back home from weeks on the road I can’t help but think… As nations celebrated, there existed stark inequities on the earthly grounds below. While the technology to reach the moon was realized, many individuals within the United States lacked access to basic healthcare. Kennedy’s dream of touching the moon was achieved while others lacked the actual ability to realize their own potential of having their basic necessities met.

Fast-forward to 1986, and the space shuttle Challenger lifts off amidst the eager eyes of millions. But joy turned to horror as it explosively disintegrated just 73 seconds into its voyage, claiming the lives of seven astronauts. Investigations into the disaster unveiled that the catastrophe was avoidable and rooted in neglected concerns and overridden safety cautions by management. Failure of the two O-ring seals in the shuttle's rocket booster was identified where the catastrophic failure occurred. The record-low temperatures on the morning of the launch had stiffened the rubber O-rings, reducing their ability to seal the joints.?

Why did the Challenger get green-lit to take off if it had been known this could be an issue? The Presidential Commission charged with investigating the incident ultimately flagged the root cause of the accident as “a serious flaw in the decision-making process leading up to the launch.”

The decision to allow the Challenger to launch on that cold day was in part due to mounting pressure from the press, the public, and the President. One of the seven astronauts on the craft that tragic day was Christa McAuliffe. She was slated to broadcast a live lesson from orbit on her fourth day in space. If the launch was delayed the broadcast would occur when no students were in school not to mention President Ronald Reagan planning to mention McAuliffe in his State of the Union address on that same day.?

If you have made it this far in my in-flight ideation you might be wondering, “Jenn, why are you thinking about space? Where’s this going?”?

I’m getting there I promise…?

I just had the honor of representing DUOS at HLTH USA 2023 in Las Vegas on… yes, the Moon Stage. As I walked the expo hall and prepared to take the stage to speak I couldn’t help but think…

“Who are we building all of this for?” and what’s more, “Who are we leaving out?”

In the context of healthcare innovations, such as newfound digital technology, AI diagnostic tools, or even new classes of supplemental benefits, the Challenger reminds us of the perils of overlooking ethics and operational details for the sake of advancement or profit. It warns of the tragic repercussions that may arise if we neglect the broader impact on society, especially on marginalized communities, or if we ignore potential risks in the blind pursuit of growth.?

I will let you who are reading this draw conclusions as you will but there are so many, too many that I’ve read lately where due to the exponential growth of Medicare Advantage and startups real people have been irrevocably hurt. I truly believe it wasn't because of malicious intent. Honestly, any of us can be susceptible to getting caught up in the rapid pace of change and the inextricable high that comes with growth and success. If anything I'm reminded of the need for grace. I don't by any means excuse it but I do understand it.

Through the lens of these two momentous events, the tale unfolds, imploring innovators in healthcare to embed ethics and oversight deeply within their pursuits. The Apollo 11 mission nudges us to dream big but also prompts reflection on whether our advancements serve all of humanity equitably. The Challenger tragedy serves as a haunting reminder of the dire consequences of disregarding ethical integrity and vigilance.

Innovators should ask: Who gets access to new technologies? Who decides? Are we safeguarding against potential misuse or negative consequences? And, vitally, are the voices warning of potential "O-rings”—the component whose failure led to the Challenger tragedy—being heard, respected, and heeded?

With that, this in-flight cautionary tale concludes, with an urging that as we forge ahead, breaking boundaries in healthcare innovations, we must carry the enduring lessons from our ventures into the cosmos: to dream yet remain grounded in ethics, to advance while ensuring equity, and to perpetually align our innovative pursuits with the collective well-being of all humanity, lest we risk our own Challenger-like catastrophe in the realm of healthcare - because who knows, after all, we are the innovators, designers, and architects of a health care system we will inherit in the end.?