BIOETICA

ARTIGO ARTICLE

Bioética e avaliação tecnológica em saúde
Bioethics and health care technology assessment

Fermin Roland Schramm 1
Claudia Caminha Escosteguy

1 Departamento de Ciências
Sociais, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública,
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz.
Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480,
8 o andar, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
21041-210, Brasil. [e-mail] 2 Hospital dos
Servidores do Estado.
Rua Sacadura Cabral 178,
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
20221-161, Brasil.

2

Abstract The simultaneous existence of a biotechnoscientific paradigm (which emphasizes technological incorporation) and a culture of limits (which selects technologies) challenges current health systems, raising ethical and political discussions as to the choices to be made. Health care technology assessment is mainly concerned with the consequences of health care and health care policies. Thus, there is significant overlap between this activity and bioethics, even though they are different fields of knowledge. Although the importance of ethical and social issues arising in technology assessment has been recognized, most publications emphasize only methodological and scientific aspects. There are different interests involved in technological incorporation, and many value conflicts arise. Ethical implications include those related to clinical trials, medical care assessment, incorporation of technology, resource allocation, equity, and the effectiveness gap. Incorporating the ethical dimension into technology assessment will foster a better understanding of health care practice and progress in its improvement.
Key words Bioethics; Biomedical Technology Assessment; Quality of Health Care

Resumo A vigência simultânea do paradigma biotecnocientífico (que incentiva a incorporação tecnológica) e da cultura dos limites (que seleciona as tecnologias) constitui um grande desafio aos sistemas sanitários atuais, suscitando debates éticos e políticos sobre as escolhas a serem feitas. A avaliação tecnológica em saúde diz respeito