RISK AWARENESS AND EXISTING KNOWLEDGE OF PEOPLE ABOUT BIOMEDICAL TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Biomedical techniques are the latest techniques which are being used to treat and
monitor many diseases, e.g. cancer, diabetics etc. and they are quite advanced and
different from traditional techniques. They may have many benefits over
traditional/existing techniques, but they may also have certain limitations. To overcome
any such risks and limitations, biomedical research is being carried out either to improve
or identify new approaches. The objectives of this research work were to know the
awareness among people about these biomedical techniques, their benefits and risks
involved and the extent of their preference towards the latest biomedical techniques.
From the results of the preliminary survey, it was found that maximum numbers of
participants were only aware about the conventional techniques that are being used to
treat cancer, diabetes and asthma. It was also found that only 44% of the population
was aware about tissue engineering. Among the population studied 77% of the people
were not aware about risks involved in biomedical techniques, but many of them
preferred benefits generated by biomedical approaches over the possible risks
associated with them. However, this preliminary survey conducted with a small
population suggested that awareness seem to be poor about biomedical techniques and
there is an urgent need for awareness programs.