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The Philosophy of Information; Its Application to Medicine.

Prof. Winston Mendes Davidson
Head, School of Public Health & Health Technology
University of Technology
Paper written:
th
4 October 1999
Update 24.10.15
E-mail: winstondavidson@yahoo.com
Introduction
“We are now living in the ‘Information’ Age”, this slogan is as incorrect as it
is simplistic. It implies that the history of mankind was somehow not information
dependent. It suggests that the acquisition of knowledge and therefore Information
was not the primary determinant in the development of man throughout all the Ages
It is against that background, that one was forced to examine the phenomenon
‘Information’, at least to make an attempt to define it.
Examining the phenomenon ‘Information’, as produced by the computer (a
silicon based “artificial intelligence” system), is as relevant as examining
‘Information’ as produced by the Brain [a carbon based intelligence system] of the
Human Species.
Medical Science has long established the human brain’s primary resource as
thought. However, “What is thought”? Is as fundamentally a philosophical question,
as the question, “What is information”?
Looking at ‘Information’, from a Medical Scientific perspective, one may be
able to gain better insights and greater clarity. Even more so since Medical science
has always been a genuine source of scientific validation of the existence of
information. The usefulness of Information, when looked at from a medical
practitioner’s standpoint, is the fact that it is the primary basis for establishing
diagnoses, and the only measure for establishing life or death.
In the daily pursuit of the Doctor’s practice, Information invariably takes on
even greater significance, of a deep philosophical nature, when it creates, as it so
often does, many more questions than answers.
“What is Information”? is as valid a philosophical question as “What is
thought”?

Information and Medicine

Over many decades, the Science of Medicine has examined the functions of
the brain and the complex processes involved in its sensory, motor, intellectual,
psychic, and other activities, in the creation of “Thought”.

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Science derived the very principles underlying the development of the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) of the computer from the discoveries of Medical Science, as
to how the brain works.
If there are differences between the respective Eras of Man’s existences,
these differences are merely a function of his capacity to manage Information. This
capacity is determined essentially by his worldview, which has been shaped by the
realities of his experiences.
Indeed ‘Information’ has always existed, independently of mankind who has
absolutely nothing to do with its creation. He is merely a form of embodiment of
Information, which he manages in the process of his interaction with his
environment and his adaptation to it.
Medical Science has been used by man to develop a vast body of
information on the laws governing his existence as a biological species both in his
earthly domain and in outer space and this has led to greater clarity in our
understanding of man as an earthbound biological species, and the phenomenon
Information.
Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, biology, physics, chemistry, psychology,
mathematics, the environmental and computer sciences, and most importantly, the
empirical knowledge derived from the human experience as he interacts with both
the social and natural environments, are the examples of the basic sciences which
form the foundation on which the vast database of Information of Modern Medicine
is derived.

The Gene and Information

Perhaps the most important discovery of the century in Medicine is the
discovery by British Medical Scientists Watson and Crick on the structure of the
gene. This fascinating biological being, possesses the property of storing vast
amounts of information, which it propagates from one generation to the other
throughout the history of mankind. It does so from the conception, growth and
development of the individual, developing at the same time, species identity and
specificity, biological diversity, behavioral similarity and most of all, the capacity to
reproduce itself.
These changes, which take place, occur as a result of the dialectical laws.
These are four Universal Laws of Philosophy describing the interactive processes of
development and change of all forms of matter. This includes the newly discovered
dialectical Law of “Accommodation and Rejection” which describes the process of
development of systems and sub-systems, negating the rather simplistic Darwinian
theory of Natural Selection. This dialectical process, explains the interaction
between gene and environment, which is the driving force in genetic differentiation,
transformation and species adaptation.

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Is the gene functioning therefore as an intelligent information system? It

definitely displays the most fascinating property to manage information and to use
information to adapt to changes in the environment. If this is not an intelligent
information system, then the claim made by “Info-Tech Experts”, that present
computer systems are examples of artificial intelligence, must be spurious.
The gene is the CPU of carbon-based intelligence and is the most powerful
vehicle of information storage, management, analysis, transport and propagation
in the biological domain.
To date researchers in silicon based artificial intelligent systems derive their
insights from the principles of how the brain functions. They would do well to study
how the gene functions, since it is the best and most efficient vehicle for information
storage, management, analysis and transport. Indeed it is the fundamental basis of
biological intelligence of which brain function is one of its manifestations.
It is only a matter of time, that central processing units of interactive
intelligent systems, derived from biological (carbon based material) become a
reality. The development of biological or “Surreal intelligent information systems”
as opposed to “Artificial intelligent information systems” is the way forward to the
future. This process more than any other will transform the science of medicine
and humankind in the most profound way in the next generation.

The Cell and Information

The single cell is the basic building block of the human organism. It is the
building block of its tissues and organs. The cell is a complex storage of different
information systems that are constantly at work interacting to maintain the integrity
of itself and therefore the organism. In so doing it is adapting to changes in both the
internal and external environments of the organism.
The interaction between the different subsystems within the single cell is the
result of the flow of information programmed by the information derived from the
gene in its nucleus. It is now believed that the bizarre multiplication of cancerous
cells occur as a result of incorrect information sent to the subsystems in the cell
altering its function, resulting in the development of a dysfunctional cell whose
multiplication eventually shuts down the system, somewhat like the computer virus
which disables its information system. The treatment of cancer in the twenty first
century will therefore be possible using information to re-program the gene of the
cell toward development of normal cellular function.
The cell is without doubt an intelligent biological entity that is in essence the
embodiment of complex information systems working together at the basic structural
level of the organism. It communicates with the rest of the organism through a
diversity of information transport systems such as chemicals in the form of
hormones, proteins, enzymes, co-enzymes, elements, particles and fields of every
variety found in nature. It stores information on all its transport systems and may

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imprint or transfer information in the same way that this is done using software in a
computer information system.
The human brain is no more than a specialized cell information system. These
cells merely allow the human organism to be in communication with the information
systems of his environment and send this information to the cells of the rest of the
body utilizing neuro-humoral transport systems in the main. In so doing it permits
the process of interaction both within the human organism and with the external
environment.
This process of interaction is critical to the development of a greater
quantitative and qualitative level of information. It is the essence of the process of
acquiring new knowledge, of learning, of developing new systems of information.
Any technology, which facilitates interactive engagement between information
systems, in principle, facilitates the cognition of information and of new
knowledge.
Are the cells of the brain necessarily more intelligent than the other cells of
the body, because of their specialized function of awareness and consciousness?
Do ordinary cells have the property of awareness and consciousness, albeit at
a different qualitative level?
Indeed all cells must necessarily possess properties of awareness and
consciousness even at a rudimentary level otherwise they would not be able to
survive.
Information Transport Mechanisms
The Gene, the ordinary cell, the specialized brain cell, indeed all biological
forms of matter (its mass form), are mere complex storage and transport
mechanisms of Information systems. These biological forms of matter are essentially
the biological CPUs of complex information systems. The human species is
therefore the manifestation of genetically determined complex information systems.
At a sub-atomic level, information systems are stored and transported by
particles, waves, field etc. The transport of information via fax machine and the
Internet are examples of the non-mass forms of information transport systems (i.e.
particles, waves and fields etc.)

Matter and Information

Irrespective of the forms of existence of matter, whether mass, particle, wave,
field, plasma etc., it possesses three immutable properties; (1) motion (2) time (3)
space and can neither be created nor destroyed.
Information on the other hand has neither motion, time nor space. In that
respect, it is matter’s anti-thesis. However, Information is at a much deeper level,
and is a more profound state of reality than matter. It has always existed, it can
neither be created nor destroyed, is omnipresent and it is within “whom” we live
and move and have our being. From a Biblical perspective information, is, in the

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beginning, and is, in essence, the WORD. The application of information to

Medicine is therefore much more profound than the mental or physical context of
man in his environment; it is also interactive and experiential and most definitely,
Spiritual.

The Application Of Information Technology To Medicine

Introduction
The use of Technology in Medicine has a very long history, with or without the
application of computer based systems. Medical Technology whether using contrast
media, molecules, atoms, nuclear material, ions, particles, field, wave or other forms
of matter merely detect different information about the object, giving an insight into
the structural and functional characteristics of the object or phenomenon. It gives
the object or phenomenon a unique label, which defines it from all other. These
characteristics represent an unique information print or database of the object or
phenomenon. This unique information print is as particular as the fingerprint of a
human being, and specifically defines the object or phenomenon. Is this,
Information Technology? It most certainly is.
The application of Computer Technology in the Medical Technological
domain has taken Information Technology in Medicine to a new and unprecedented
quantitative and qualitative level.
Why is this so? This is so because man has developed a tool, an instrument
that does more than provide information for him to record and process in his brain.
He now possesses a brain like tool with which he may now interact, producing
higher quantitative and qualitative levels of knowledge at lightning speeds.
The computer is as much a tool for information management as the stone or
the knife, the ruler or the electron microscope. All are diagnostic instruments in
one form or the other, created and used by man in his quest for knowledge of
himself and his environment. All are part of the historic process of the development
of “Information Technology”.

Range of Applications
The most important and prevalent use of present day Computer based
Information Technology in Medicine in Jamaica occurs in the Diagnostic domain.
Ultra-sonograms, CAT scans and Magnetic Resonance imaging devices are but a
few of the plethora of computer based information technological devices.
The application of software and digital conversions of every conceivable
diagnostic device is gaining ground. The miniaturized self managed user-friendly
diagnostic portables, are liberating the General Practitioner and his patients as never
before. It is only a matter of time before these devices become standard practice.

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Indeed these devices may be referred to as clinical support information systems, for
patient management and empowerment.
The use of Computer based information technology, in the administration of
the medical services, is gaining ground more in medium and large scale, than in
small scale health enterprises. This trend will inevitably become standard practice in
the near future.
The present challenge however is the use of computer information technology
at the clinical interface between Dr. and patient, this is still however, woefully
lacking. What are the reasons for this? Perhaps greater insights may be gained by
asking the following questions.
a. Does this type of technology help to do the job at the clinical interface between
the Doctor and the patient cheaper, better and quicker?
b. Does present day computer based I.T. enable better solutions for both the Doctor
and patients?
c. How credible is Internet derived information?
d. Do patients desire more autonomy and less Doctor in decision making on health
matters? If yes, what is the mix?
e. Can the computer be a substitute for the interactive process between Doctor and
patient?
f. Is interactive computer technology sufficiently reliable to confidently use this as
a substitute for the doctor at this time? Or will it ever become a substitute?
g. Is there a significant computer based IT culture among the vast majority of
Jamaicans who use the Health system, to justify its general use?
h. What are the relative costs of a paper-based system when compared to an
electronic based one?
Doctors are generally very informed people and understand very well that the
answers to these questions are critical to their success in a growing and competitive
market. In general the Jamaican Doctor is very conservative, he does not take risks
and always uses what is tried, tested and proven. The paper-based system has
served him very well and is still relatively cheap. It is a system in which he has total
knowledge and control. Changing from a paper based system, to an electronic based
system is still very difficult, time consuming, very costly and is still perceived to be
without proven reliability. Further, the available software technologies for
information management at the doctor patient interface, is not yet settled, and is still
too expensive.
It does not matter how many diagnostic devices one may have at one’s
disposal, what matters most to the patients is how they feel before, during and after
their interaction between themselves and their Doctor and the outcome of their
health condition.
The spiritual dimension of the interaction is extremely important both for the
Doctor and the Patient. It gives the Doctor insights into patient problems, which

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would otherwise have been missed by an artificial intelligent system, and it gives the
patients insight into their condition by the non-verbal communication conveyed by
the Doctor, irrespective of his Clinical detachment.
Further analysis suggests that it is the interactive computer technology,
which will be the most liberating to both Patient and Doctor.
It will liberate the Doctor from his paternalistic role to a facilitatory one, and
it will liberate the patient by laying the basis for him/her to acquire such a vast
repertory of health information, as to confidently engage in the self-management of
his/her health condition. This must be the objective of all practitioners.
The myth, of the so-called managed care (HMO) bureaucratic systems, will
be challenged both by interactive information technology and the process of patient
self-management and empowerment.
Interactive computer information technology in medicine will be more
relevant to third world conditions than was first realized, since the variables of
illiteracy and costs will be mitigated.
In Jamaica the telephone communication system is ubiquitous. Beginning the
interactive process with a real Dr. on line for advice and counseling must be the
starting point in the field of telemedicine, since it will begin the development of a
culture in the use of technology in an interactive way.

Copyright: Dr. Winston Mendes-Davidson

47 University Crescent (home); winstondavidson@yahoo.com
Use of any part or whole of this document must receive the permission of the
author.