Medtech goes to the Movies

Is the future written? Einstein himself wrote:

‘For those of us who believe in physics, the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.’

If Einstein says so, it’s probable that the future is not as remote and unknowable as we currently think it is.

Even if you don’t go as far as to believe the future has already happened, there is an innate human desire to predict the future. Be it a sneaky glance at the horoscope or a ‘feeling’ about the lottery numbers, many of us would like to know what’s coming up.

But whilst science gets on with the number crunching to make that a reality, as they already have done with weather forecasting and climate change simulations, I turn to less solidly researched fare. I believe the future lies in film.

Just as Douglas Adams’ ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ nailed the concept of the smart phone, here’s my list of films, that may hold the answer to what’s coming up in the medtech scene:

Gattaca

Story: Genome testing at birth, predicts a person’s risk of disease and thus assigns them to a particular stratum in society. Based on his genetic profile the main character, Vincent Freeman, is predicted to die aged 30, which in this eugenics-focused society relegates him to the ‘in-valid’ class. Limited to more menial jobs, in this caste based society, he tries to fool the authorities by using someone else’s DNA in genetic verification tests to achieve his mission of becoming an astronaut.

Reality: We’re not too far off the premise of Gattaca. With initiatives like 100 000 Genomes and the UK Biobank forming repositories of sequenced genomes and associated health profiles, it’s not far-fetched to think that every human may have their genome profiled at birth, to predict their risk of various diseases. It raises interesting ethical questions as to the line between advantageous personalised medicine versus Gattaca-like bias and anxiety about health risks.

How close to the story is reality? 70% of the way there (based on already widespread genome sequencing. The societal implications are not in play… yet)

Never Let Me Go

Story: Children grow up in an isolated boarding school, where they find out they are genetic clones of other human and will eventually be used as organ donors. There’s also a complex love triangle in it.

Reality: Again, the power and potential peril of genetic science is explored. Although we make balk at the idea that a person would ever be used in such a way, the presence of saviour siblings and transplant tourism shows parallels.

How close to the story is reality? 40% (based on the fact that we don’t allow human cloning. The science may be prohibited but unfortunately the ethical issues are already in play).

See also: My Sister’s Keeper

The Matrix

Story: Reality is not all it seems. The iconic Matrix movie draws back the veil to reveal Neo’s perceived daily life (very similar to yours and mine) is actually a computer simulation called the matrix and he actually lives in a bleak robot-ruled world, where is bioelectric energy is siphoned off to power the computers.

Reality: With big hitters like Meta bringing out their VR goggles, the possibility of living a different life and having a different experience becomes more of a possibility. What does this mean in healthtech terms? Anything and everything. The average human being may now be able to experience what it is to run like Usain Bolt amongst other things. The possibilities are huge, empowering and possibly dangerous.

How close to the story is reality? 60% (or perhaps 100% if we are actually in the Matrix)?! With Meta’s goggles, VR is already out there. The question is, how far will it go and will it be used to bring new physical and health-related experiences?

See also: Ready Player One

Chuck

Story: A computer store employee watches a video of encoded snapshot images, which uploads a database of US Governments Intelligence into his brain. Subsequently when seeing certain images, he remembers certain intelligence secrets and with later versions of the program, automatically learns languages and martial arts. Japes ensue.

Reality: I don’t know if we’re there yet but the aspiration is high. The thought of uploading information easily into the human brain is a huge area of interest especially to big players like Neuralink, who are trying to do this with hardware. I’ve always thought there has to be an easier way to remember knowledge rather than rote memorising and revision. Maybe this is the future?

How close to the story is reality? 65% (based on the fact that HRL labs have already improved human cognition speeds using a ‘scalp cap’ and Neuralink’s recent brain-computer interface successes. Subliminal messaging and brainwashing have already been tried and tested but the success rates are uncertain as the CIA just doesn’t release that kind of information.

See also: The Manchurian Candidate, Zoolander

Ex Machina

Story: A software programmer is invited to a billionaire’s private estate to see whether the billionaire’s pet project, building humanoid robots powered by AI, pass the Turing test. Lots of complex relationship dynamics and trickery.

Reality: The thought of building helper robots has long existed and has been posited as a solution for human labour. Imagine having a convincingly intelligent robot-carer to keep everyone happy, healthy and motivated. However, AI poses a huge ethical unknown, especially if it becomes sentient a la Ex Machina. Thought-provoking and highgly relevant in today’s brave new world.

How close to the story is reality? 70% (with the recent advances in AI, machine sentience seems ever closer. And with incredible robotics being designed by the likes of Boston Dynamics, the plot of Ex Machina seems ever more like reality.)

See also: Blade Runner, Humans, I, Robot, Elysium

Red Dwarf

Story: A spaceship worker is put into stasis and wakes up 3 million years later to find everyone on his ship has died and he is alone with only a hologram of his annoying roommate, a super-intelligent computer for company and a bipedal cat.

Reality: This is a fun one for the future. With concepts like bodily stasis and the technology to preserve consciousness, Red Dwarf takes incredible ideas and presents them with the most humorous of touches. After so much dystopia, here is health technology presented in a fun, unthreatening form.

How close to the story is reality? 35% (I don’t know where we are on cryostasis and interplanetary travel but I’d like to see it when it comes).

See also: The Hitchiker’s Guide to Galaxy