That chalcogenide glasses potentially provide a solution for mid-infrared medical endoscopy is discussed in detail for the first time. It is shown that chalcogenide glass fiber optics could underpin new mid-infrared medical endoscopic systems for real-time molecular sensing, imaging,a and analysis of tissue and for fiber laser surgery at new mid-infrared wavelengths. Moreover, chalcogenide glass fiber optic and waveguide devices and systems could provide the key to new mid-infrared communications for molecular sensing to inform decision-taking in other sectors as diverse as manufacturing, energy, the environment, and security. The development and deployment of chalcogenide glasses for mid-infrared photonics over the next decade or so could mirror the complexity and versatility of silica fiber optics developed in the 20th century for near-infrared photonics. These ideas are developed in this article and the current status of chalcogenide glass photonics is briefly surveyed.
