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Free Software, a Matter of Life and Death

Posted by kdawson on from the serious-as-it-gets dept.

ChiefMonkeyGrinder writes "Software on medical implants is not open to scrutiny by regulatory bodies. Glyn Moody writes: 'Software with the ability to harm as well as help us in the physical world needs to be open to scrutiny to minimise safety issues. Medical devices may be the most extreme manifestation of this, but with the move of embedded software into planes, cars and other large and not-so-large devices with potentially lethal side-effects, the need to inspect software there too becomes increasingly urgent.' A new report 'Killed by Code: Software Transparency in Implantable Medical Devices' from the Software Freedom Law Center points out that, as patients grow more reliant on computerized devices, the dependability of software is a life-or-death issue. 'The need to address software vulnerability is especially pressing for Implantable Medical Devices, which are commonly used by millions of patients to treat chronic heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, obesity, and even depression.' Will making the source code free to scrutiny address the issue of faulty devices?"

12 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. I've got to say... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Funny

    That the Pacemaker Genuine Advantage warning I got last week was a bit of a shock...

    1. Re:I've got to say... by natehoy · · Score: 2, Funny

      ... or potential lack thereof when you need it.

      --
      "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
    2. Re:I've got to say... by Mongoose+Disciple · · Score: 5, Funny

      Blue Screen of Death, now with real death?

    3. Re:I've got to say... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, do you want your pacemaker to have intuitive manageability through Group Policies, or not?

    4. Re:I've got to say... by Mongoose+Disciple · · Score: 5, Funny

      Thanks!

      At least I didn't say it'd be the first killer app for the platform. Man, these jokes write themselves!

    5. Re:I've got to say... by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

      Roy: [answers phone] Hello, IT. Have you tried turning it off and on again?

    6. Re:I've got to say... by angelwolf71885 · · Score: 2, Funny

      i can just see it now bonzi buddy taping his bongos to the heart beat

    7. Re:I've got to say... by camperdave · · Score: 4, Funny

      just think... somewhere out there is someone who is thinking it would be a great idea to run Windows Embedded in a pacemaker.

      Just think... Somewhere out there is someone who writes pacemaker software who is thinking "There are alternatives to Windows Embedded?"

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  2. Re:Same article different day by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not to worry. Authentication dongles will be available in a variety of sizes, to make insertion endurable for all our users.

  3. Give new meaning to the word by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    heartworm.

  4. SNMP by wowbagger · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Well, do you want your pacemaker to have intuitive manageability through Group Policies, or not?"

    No, just a good SNMP MIB and traps.

    I was joking with an ex-sys-admin friend of mine who just underwent open heart valve replacement, and commenting on the idea that the wireless ECG gear needed SNMP to alert when it detected a loose lead. She laughed - not good when you were doing a good impression of an Aztec sacrifice just a couple of days previously.

    --
    www.eFax.com are spammers
  5. Re:Formal methods, not open code by russotto · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just require that all such software rigorously use formal methods to mathematically prove that it functions as intended. The manufacturer could then send their proofs to some regulatory/standards agency to verify.

    Look, if you don't like the idea of implanted medical devices controlled by software, just say so.