The
Microbe ID’s (MID) most significant consequence is the ability to
immediately identify and effectively treat diseases. Its review of patients’
medical information, medical allergies, and prescription conflicts would
prevent the occurrence of other potential medical problems. Also, the MID
could prevent the prescription of unnecessary antibiotics.
The negative side of the MID System includes the normal computer-based
security issues. Also, malfunctioning sensors could cause a misdiagnosis,
resulting in serious consequences. Most importantly, the home MID might
provide a false sense of security. The device can detect the cause of the
disease, but is not necessarily able to gauge the extent of the illness.
Parents might rely on the MID’s diagnosis, when their child might really
need to be taken to a doctor, where expert eyes could recognize the need for
immediate hospitalization. The MID’s weak point is its inability to
detect the severity of the illness.
