Protecting hippocratic ideals: Geographic information and implications for bioprivacy

This paper canvasses looming challenges in protecting the Hippocratic ideals of health care professionals. Some of these have arisen, inadvertently or otherwise, by the use of geographic information systems which might be seen as weakening the dual issues of Patient-medical practitioner confidentiality and personal bioprivacy generally. Cross-country comparisons and developments are discussed as are lessons and implications. An agenda is suggested for geographic information professionals, academics and policy makers to discover pathways for the future.