DEFEATED: Repeal "Stem Cells for Greater Health"

[Krioval]

OOC: The old thread was last posted to on Dec. 10th. Since I am actively moving this proposal, I figured I should repost this.

IC:

The Imperial Chiefdom would like to advance this repeal effort targeting "Stem Cells For Greater Health". We will first quote the resolution in question and explain our objections, and then, we will provide our original draft of the repeal.

Stem Cells For Greater Health

Description: To the Peoples of the World Assembled,

NOTING the significant value of the use of stem cells in medical research and the untapped potential that those cells can provide,

ALARMED at the number of diseases and other injuries going either without treatment or with inadequate treatment due to the nature of said ailment,

EMPHASIZING the need to Guarantee the right of Nations to research and develop stem cell related cures, treatments, and a Patient’s right to use Stem Cell therapies.

1) GUARANTEES the right of Doctors to engage in Stem Cell research should they so choose.

2) SOLEMNLY AFFIRMS that no Doctors or Medical Institutions can be held liable if they choose not use Stem Cell-related treatments if it violates their own personal values and/or principles.

3) CREATES the Stem Cell and Alternative Treatment Research Office to the WHA. Their objective is to research and develop potential cures and medicines derived from Stem Cells to help combat the effects of illness and injury. They shall be attached to the Health Research and Development Division (HRDD). All breakthroughs and developments shall be published and put into the Public Domain.

4) AFFIRMS the right of Nations to decide the source of the Stem Cells they use for research and development. Also mandates that the Stem Cells must be harvested in the most humane and least destructive way possible.

5) ALLOWING for trade amongst Nations in Stem Cells of any kind including: Cells, Research Equipment, or Training. It shall be left to each National Government to determine compensation for any transaction completed. In the event of a dispute in this area of Trade, the HRDD shall have the authority to settle the dispute.

First, the Imperial Chiefdom feels that this resolution places too great an emphasis on one medical technology. If the WA is to step in and deal with biomedical research, it should be done in a systematic way that promotes any therapeutic agent shown to have strong efficacy in treating or curing disease. Stem cell technology, by itself, is just not important enough to warrant special attention by the WA.

Second, this resolution wants to appeal to all demographics simultaneously. It grants a "right" for nations to develop stem cell-based therapies, a "right" for doctors to engage in said therapies, but also allows medical professionals to withhold treatments based on their personal beliefs. In short, this resolution does nothing to address systemic inequalities in treatment procedures that may develop based on doctors' personal views. It sounds nice, but does practically nothing beneficial.

Third, this resolution forces all research to be released immediately into the public domain. Krioval has no major problems with this by itself, but this clause has the potential to discourage private researchers from engaging in potentially life-saving research because they will lose any financial benefit of that research. Also, the final clause strangely attempts to deal with the trade of this technology, and it does badly in its effort.

In short, this resolution looks like it does a great deal, but in reality, it does little of benefit. Thus, the Imperial Chiefdom submits the following legislation for review:

Repeal "Stem Cells For Greater Health"

NOTING the utility of biomedical research and the development of novel therapies to combat disease,

REALIZING the good intentions behind the resolution "Stem Cells For Greater Health",

NONETHELESS CONCERNED that the promotion of a single technology may not yield the strongest benefit to public health,

ALSO CONCERNED that patient access to potential therapies is not addressed in the legislation,

CONCLUDING that the resolution in question does little to improve the development or distribution of therapeutic agents under its own power,

REPEALS "Stem Cells for Greater Health"

Comments, critiques, and concerns are welcome, as always. As this was submitted to the Assembly approximately one month ago, we are anxious to move it forward.

Ambassador Darvek[-kan] Tyvok
Imperial Chiefdom of Krioval

[Glen-Rhodes]

(OOC: Approved. Here's the link, for us lazy folks.)

[Serrland]

Serrland would support this repeal. Short, direct, and well written, exactly how a repeal should be.

[Panasean]

You raised a couple of good points, Kriova. However, since you seem to agree in general about the good intentions the resolution, do you think we should just repeal it entirely without any follow up, or should there be some sort of replacement for the resolution? Another resolution that does something similar, yet in a more definite and refined way, perhaps?

The nation of Panasean believes that healthcare is the right of every human being, and repealing this resolution without something better in its place may cause an overall decrease in healthcare quality. This nation notes the defects in the current resolution and is willing to approve and help its repeal on the grounds that a better alternative is formulated and forwarded in its place.

[Krioval]

You raised a couple of good points, Kriova. However, since you seem to agree in general about the good intentions the resolution, do you think we should just repeal it entirely without any follow up, or should there be some sort of replacement for the resolution? Another resolution that does something similar, yet in a more definite and refined way, perhaps?

We in the Imperial Chiefdom have given considerable thought to this very issue. We find that the best route forward may be to draft several proposals that deal with medicine, healthcare, and biotechnology - as nations' technologies permit. "Stem Cells for Greater Health" suffers from an abundance of halfway measures: doctors can use stem cells but are not required to; research must be made public, but only if a nation chooses to do that research; a committee exists solely to regulate trade in stem cell technology, but not other areas of medicine or biotechnology. The result is a mess that impedes other legislation on these matters.

The nation of Panasean believes that healthcare is the right of every human being, and repealing this resolution without something better in its place may cause an overall decrease in healthcare quality. This nation notes the defects in the current resolution and is willing to approve and help its repeal on the grounds that a better alternative is formulated and forwarded in its place.

Krioval does provide extensive medical services to its population, but we stop short of endorsing healthcare as a universal right. That said, while we are not currently working on a separate healthcare proposal, there is nothing to stop Your Excellency from drafting legislation to advance a particular agenda; the Imperial Chiefdom would have to see a draft before determining whether we could support such legislation. In any case, we ask that discussion of any "replacement" proposal be held in a separate location from this discussion, for sake of clarity.

Ambassador Darvek[-kan] Tyvok
Imperial Chiefdom of Krioval

[Philimbesi]

Full Support!

[Grays Harbor]

You raised a couple of good points, Kriova. However, since you seem to agree in general about the good intentions the resolution, do you think we should just repeal it entirely without any follow up, or should there be some sort of replacement for the resolution? Another resolution that does something similar, yet in a more definite and refined way, perhaps?

The nation of Panasean believes that healthcare is the right of every human being, and repealing this resolution without something better in its place may cause an overall decrease in healthcare quality. This nation notes the defects in the current resolution and is willing to approve and help its repeal on the grounds that a better alternative is formulated and forwarded in its place.

Sir, because it is your belief, does not make it fact. Merely stating you believe something is a right does not make it so. It is also not incumbant on the nation requesting a repeal to automatically offer a replacement. If they should so desire, then it is up to them, however, it is not a requirement. We also should note that it is the opinion of our government that a flawed resolution is not adequate as a "better than nothing" option. Flawed is flawed, whether there is a replacement prepared or not.

We support this repeal effort, and have indicated such by granting our approval in the appropriate manner.

[Sionis Prioratus]

The People and The Crown of Sionis Prioratus have come to regret the passage of this piece of legislation, and therefore we fully support its Repeal.

This said, it is worth saying nothing in this Repeal supports the flatly erroneous and delusional idea that Health Care is not a universal human right. As no resolution can Repeal the Laws of Physics, no Resolution can erase or diminish a self-evident truth, even if some are blind.

As for any Delegation wishing for a replacement, a truly all-encompassing improvement can be found in the draft of "Access to Quality Health Care", to be submitted within the month. Any Delegation concerned with the trampling of self-evident rights is welcome to make its voice heard. As a matter of fact. we are eager for further refining.

In closing, and restating: We fully support this Repeal.

Yours truly,

[Grays Harbor]

The People and The Crown of Sionis Prioratus have come to regret the passage of this piece of legislation, and therefore we fully support its Repeal.

This said, it is worth saying nothing in this Repeal supports the flatly erroneous and delusional idea that Health Care is not a universal human right. As no resolution can Repeal the Laws of Physics, no Resolution can erase or diminish a self-evident truth, even if some are blind.

As for any Delegation wishing for a replacement, a truly all-encompassing improvement can be found in the draft of "Access to Quality Health Care", to be submitted within the month. Any Delegation concerned with the trampling of self-evident rights is welcome to make its voice heard. As a matter of fact. we are eager for further refining.

In closing, and restating: We fully support this Repeal.

Yours truly,

"Human rights" are what are granted, not something inherent, and no matter how loudly you protest that health care, or anything else for that matter, is as you put it "a self-evident truth", nothing could be further from the truth. Should you wish to grant "rights" for everything and anything in your own nation, that is indeed your perogative, however, do not force your views on the rest of us with mandates for created "rights". Physics has nothing to do with it, is is political posturing and little else. The only "trampling" we have observed is your nation attempting to impart your own values and determinations upon the rest of us through mandated "rights" which do not exist.

[Sionis Prioratus]

The People and The Crown of Sionis Prioratus have come to regret the passage of this piece of legislation, and therefore we fully support its Repeal.

This said, it is worth saying nothing in this Repeal supports the flatly erroneous and delusional idea that Health Care is not a universal human right. As no resolution can Repeal the Laws of Physics, no Resolution can erase or diminish a self-evident truth, even if some are blind.

As for any Delegation wishing for a replacement, a truly all-encompassing improvement can be found in the draft of "Access to Quality Health Care", to be submitted within the month. Any Delegation concerned with the trampling of self-evident rights is welcome to make its voice heard. As a matter of fact. we are eager for further refining.

In closing, and restating: We fully support this Repeal.

Yours truly,

"Human rights" are what are granted, not something inherent, and no matter how loudly you protest that health care, or anything else for that matter, is as you put it "a self-evident truth", nothing could be further from the truth. Should you wish to grant "rights" for everything and anything in your own nation, that is indeed your perogative, however, do not force your views on the rest of us with mandates for created "rights". Physics has nothing to do with it, is is political posturing and little else. The only "trampling" we have observed is your nation attempting to impart your own values and determinations upon the rest of us through mandated "rights" which do not exist.

Your Honor's overreaction is telling, but our diplomatic corps have grown used to it.

We politely ask Your Honor to save Your Honor's passion to the replacement I indicated, one that has its own debating thread. If I mentioned it this one time, was to indicate to any comers to this debate that there is actually a "replacement" in the works. One time is enough.

Politely Yours,

[Grays Harbor]

We believe we have made our objections to your proposal apparent enough already in the discussion on it, in the appropriate place. Here, We were merely answering your thinly veiled insults towards anybody who dare disagree with your perception of what you believe are "rights".

[Krioval]

We have taken pains to not push forward any particular ideology as it relates to national involvement in the providing of healthcare in this repeal. We would strongly prefer that any discussion about that matter take place in either a separate policy debate or in relation to separate legislation. If it is desired, Krioval would be willing to open a new debate on any potential legislation that could be brought forward, should this repeal succeed.

Ambassador Darvek[-kan] Tyvok
Imperial Chiefdom of Krioval

[Charlotte Ryberg]

It should be a human right to be healthy, as with the right to life according to us. Although we support the repeal of a conservative legislation, we think a much more general right to health services declaration like the Access to Quality Health Care draft should replace it.

[Sivonaa]

Sivonaa supports Repeal "Stem Cells for Greater Health". Not only for greater health. But also because this nations population is well over a billion and over %70 of the population is Christian. The prime minister me, is also Christian. We believe that the population created by God should not take greater power. We believe that it is God's job to create and end all human life. For that reason we strongly support this debate and it would be a honor to be part of the efforts to stop this issue.

[Krioval]

The Imperial Chiefdom of Krioval is pleased to note that "Repeal 'Stem Cells for Greater Health'" is now at vote.

Ambassador Darvek[-kan] Tyvok
Imperial Chiefdom of Krioval

[Fotar]

Echoing the sentiment of the ambassadors for Sivonaa and Serrland, The Narnian Fox Kingdom of Fotar will cast its vote, and furthermore, as delegate of the Council of Narnia, the votes of the region, for this repeal.

[Pelasgus]

The people of The Empire of Pelasgus support this issue for the good of the human kind.

[Lothwood]

Stem cells save lives! There's nothing else to say!!!

[Fyrdowsi]

*shake his head*

Stem cells for health?! Blasphemous, and a total aggravation against the Creator's creation! Bah, first the corporations would say they want to save lives. Then with more and more trust put upon such elixir, they would let loose their true greedy colors and start charging desperate citizens. Blasphemy! See how many actually benefited from such costly projects by those white-collared bandits!
Who knows, maybe those wretches with briefcases would even do something else with the stem cells. Yes, you all know what I mean.

*coughs*

I, Manservant yk9, on the behalf of the Theocracy of Fyrdowsi, thereby supported the repeal of the resolution. And the total destruction of the corporations doing such projects of course.

[Frandzonia]

The Grand Duchy of Frandzonia would like to express it's support for the resolution on vote.

While the Grand Duchy of Frandzonia supports stem cell research in general, we would like WA support for medical research to be technology neutral, and thus not limited to or specifically targeted any single technologies. Item 3 in GA resolution 49 calling for the creation of a "Stem Cell and Alternative Treatment Research Office" is at odds with our policy in this area, which is why the resolution as a whole should be repealed as is proposed in the resolution at vote.

[Philimbesi]

Nigel stepped up to the podium. I rise today to support this repeal effort. We fully agree with the terms of repeal and hope that should it pass someone will take the lead in creating a stem cell resolution that actually does promote greater health. Congratulations to the delegate from Krioval for attempting to clear the way for true health reform.

[Arkinesia]

The people of Arkinesia wholeheartedly support this repeal measure, as do I. This repeal is highly recommended to other nations. The draconian prioritization of stem cell research and the lemmings who believe that healthcare is an inherent right shall be pushed back one more step with the passage of this resolution. Our congratulations to Krioval for writing this and managing to get it into the vote.

[Tzorsland]

The nation of Tzorsland rises in opposition to the repeal proposed by Krioval. While we are not strong supporters of “Stem Cells For Greater Health” and wouldn’t all mind it being repealed, I have to wonder what you were smoking or drinking when you wrote your repeal. We would like you to share it with us.

“NONETHELESS CONCERNED that the promotion of a single technology may not yield the strongest benefit to public health,”

That’s got to be the biggest WTF moment. You can only promote one thing at a time, and promoting one thing doesn’t prevent all other things. Promotion of solar power doesn’t mean that wind power is DOA. More over where is the promotion; merely the creation of an office to the many offices already in the WHA.

“ALSO CONCERNED that patient access to potential therapies is not addressed in the legislation,”

Yes folks, we research new drugs and technologies all the time because it’s fun, not because we want to make money in the application of these drugs and technologies to actual patients. This ain’t no universal healthcare resolution, so why the concern?

“CONCLUDING that the resolution in question does little to improve the development or distribution of therapeutic agents under its own power,”

SAY WHAT?

I’ll say it again

SAY WHAT?

My initial guess is you have a combination of some nice pot and some single malt scotch.

[The Rich Port]

Clearly the chiefdom is ignorant of the medical scope Stem Cell Research entails. The regenerative properties will essentially eliminate reconstructive and several other kinds of medical fields, seeing as how stem cells can be synthesized into any cell the body needs. Blood will no longer require replacement with more of it, wounds can be closed in seconds with no surgery, mental injury will be a thing of the past. The Rich Port votes AGAINST.

[Arkinesia]

Clearly the chiefdom is ignorant of the medical scope Stem Cell Research entails. The regenerative properties will essentially eliminate reconstructive and several other kinds of medical fields, seeing as how stem cells can be synthesized into any cell the body needs. Blood will no longer require replacement with more of it, wounds can be closed in seconds with no surgery, mental injury will be a thing of the past. The Rich Port votes AGAINST.

Apparently, good sir, you haven't a damn clue about what you are talking about.

Stem cells, according to national research, cover:

- organ reconstruction
- brain cell repair and replacement
- blood cell replacement

We've never found anything to suggest, however, in spite of the skin being an organ, that skin replacement is possible with stem cells, nor is there evidence that blood transfusions or donations will be unneeded. The fact that we still discuss blood donation policies suggest you're bloody wrong.

Your vote against is based on wild, superstitious beliefs that have little grounding in reality.

Cheerio.

Ambassador Melican, upon saying this, seated himself.