[PASSED] Protection of Biomedical Research

[Tinfect]

Protection of Biomedical Research

A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health

Area of Effect: Research

---

Recognizing the vast potential of biomedical research to improve and save the lives of the citizens of Member-States,

Applauding the great strides already made in the field by Member-States,

Seeking to greatly expand these efforts through the expansion and facilitation of International collaboration in the field,

And condemning the placement of unjust and illegitimate restrictions on life-saving biomedical research,

The World Assembly hereby;

Defines Biomedical Research as the fields of research investigating the causes of disease, disease prevention, treatment, and the mitigation or elimination of medical conditions including, but not limited to: Cancer, Paraplegia, and Motor Neuron Diseases,

Expands the mandate of the Biomedical Innovation Organization of the World Health Authority to include:

1. Coordination of international efforts at biomedical research,
2. Development of a set of minimum scientific and ethical standards for biomedical research, to be met by Member-States,
3. Service as an advisory body for biomedical ethics organizations and biomedical ethics regulatory bodies within Member-States,
4. Maintenance of an internationally-accessible database of ongoing biomedical research within Member-States, excepting information regarding research efforts which are protected by Member-States as a matter of security,

Mandates:

1. That Member-States place no restrictions on biomedical research beyond those that are necessary to ensure that research efforts meet ethical and scientific standards,
2. That Member-States rescind any and all biomedical research ethics standards and regulations that do not serve specifically to minimize or eliminate harm to life provably sentient or sapient at the time of research, and,

Clarifies that the above provisions are subject to extant legislation,

And reminds Member-States that any and all determinations of sapience or sentience are subject to extant World Assembly legislation and scientific procedure.

Approve here!

OOC:
I warned you, UM.

[Tinfect]

OOC:
Space reserved for future drafts so as to avoid cluttering the original post.

[Aclion]

Vague mandates are vague. How will this resolution ensure that qualified personnel cannot refuse to conduct life saving research?

I have to say, I was pretty on the fence about UM's proposal, but given the opposition i'm included to vote for it just out of spite.

anyway I see typo in the second mandate. I believe you mean any and all.

[Tinfect]

Vague mandates are vague. How will this resolution ensure that qualified personnel cannot refuse to conduct life saving research?

OOC:
Given that, unlike UM's draft, it doesn't give them a universal 'OK' to do so, it shouldn't need to.

I have to say, I was pretty on the fence about UM's proposal, but given the opposition i'm included to vote for it just out of spite.

Have fun!

[Aclion]

Vague mandates are vague. How will this resolution ensure that qualified personnel cannot refuse to conduct life saving research?

OOC:
Given that, unlike UM's draft, it doesn't give them a universal 'OK' to do so, it shouldn't need to.

It shouldn't need to ensure that lifesaving research is not delayed because researchers don't want to do the research or it shouldn't need to not be vague? Or both?

[Tinfect]

It shouldn't need to ensure that lifesaving research is not delayed because researchers don't want to do the research or it shouldn't need to not be vague? Or both?

OOC:
It should not be necessary to specify that researchers will be expected to do their jobs. Generally the assumption is that whoever is running the operation will deal with people who aren't doing the job they're paid to do.

[Liagolas]

Protection of Biomedical Research

(Image)
A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health

Area of Effect: Research

---

Recognizing the vast potential of biomedical research to improve, and save, the lives of the citizens of Member-States,

Applauding the great strides already made in the field by Member-States,

Seeking to greatly expand these efforts through the expansion and facilitation of International collaboration in the field,

And condemning the placement of unjust and illegitimate restrictions on life-saving biomedical research,

The World Assembly hereby;

Defines:

1. Biomedical Research as: the fields of research investigating the causes of disease, disease prevention, treatment, and the mitigation or elimination of medical conditions including, but not limited to; Cancer, Paraplegia, and Motor Neuron Diseases

Expands the mandate of the Biomedical Innovation Organization of the World Health Authority to include:

1. Coordination of international efforts at biomedical research,
2. Development of a set of minimum scientific and ethical standards for biomedical research, to be met by Member-States,
3. Service as an advisory body for biomedical ethics organizations and biomedical ethics regulatory bodies within Member-States,
4. Maintenance of an internationally-accessible database of ongoing biomedical research within Member-States, excepting information regarding research efforts which are protected by Member-States as a matter of security,

Mandates:

1. That Member-States place no restrictions on biomedical research beyond those that are necessary to ensure that research efforts meet ethical and scientific standards,
2. That Member-States rescind any and all biomedical research ethics standards and regulations that do not serve specifically to minimize or eliminate harm to provably, currently sentient or sapient life,

Reminds Member-States that any and all determinations of sapience or sentience are subject to extant World Assembly legislation and scientific procedure.

The chamber door suddenly swings open as the Mouth of the Dominion bursts in and practically slides into its seat, fanning itself after the run. "Goodness, these debate chambers - *pant* - pop up quickly." Catching its breath, it continues. "First, some comments on the text.

"First, the commas present in the middle of the first perambulatory clause ('Recognizing') are unnecessary, meaning it ought read, 'to improve and save the lives' without any commas.

"Next... it is the confusion of the Dominion as to why there is a semicolon after the 'hereby,'" the Mouth says, just sounding perplexed. "Is that... normal? It is the concession of the Dominion that it my have simply not noticed such before in other resolutions, but it seems... odd. It can fathom no reason why a semicolon would appear in such place in any normal sentence.

"Also, the construction of the 'Defines' clause seems overwrought. Since there is only one item, it would be possible to collapse it into a single clause, sparing the proposal from the colon that presently introduces a list with a length of one.

"Additionally, the semicolon after 'but not limited to' should be a colon, as in this case a list is introduced. Furthermore, it is the observation of the Dominion that given the pattern set in other clauses, this line should conclude with a comma.

"Finally, 'currently sentient or sapient life,' ought to be followed by an '[b'and[/b],' thereby completely the sentence.

"For reference, the Dominion offers its edit of the draft:

Code: Select all

Recognizing the vast potential of biomedical research to improve and save the lives of the citizens of Member-States,

Applauding the great strides already made in the field by Member-States,

Seeking to greatly expand these efforts through the expansion and facilitation of International collaboration in the field,

And condemning the placement of unjust and illegitimate restrictions on life-saving biomedical research,

The World Assembly hereby

Defines Biomedical Research as the fields of research investigating the causes of disease, disease prevention, treatment, and the mitigation or elimination of medical conditions including, but not limited to: Cancer, Paraplegia, and Motor Neuron Diseases,[/list]

Expands the mandate of the Biomedical Innovation Organization of the World Health Authority to include:
[list=1][*]Coordination of international efforts at biomedical research,
[*]Development of a set of minimum scientific and ethical standards for biomedical research, to be met by Member-States,
[*]Service as an advisory body for biomedical ethics organizations and biomedical ethics regulatory bodies within Member-States,
[*]Maintenance of an internationally-accessible database of ongoing biomedical research within Member-States, excepting information regarding research efforts which are protected by Member-States as a matter of security,[/list]

Mandates:
[list=1][*]That Member-States place no restrictions on biomedical research beyond those that are necessary to ensure that research efforts meet ethical and scientific standards,
[*]That Member-States rescind any and all biomedical research ethics standards and regulations that do not serve specifically to minimize or eliminate harm to provably, currently sentient or sapient life, and[/list]

Reminds Member-States that any and all determinations of sapience or sentience are subject to extant World Assembly legislation and scientific procedure.

"Next, it is the thought of the Dominion that..." the Mouth shrugs a bit, seeming almost sheepish. "Well, it shall just out and say it. Does this not seem just a bit... petty? At the very least, it is the concern of the Dominion that it may appear that way to certain member states. The Dominion does not doubt the sincerity of Tinfect's interest in biomedical interest, but the timing and circumstances of other debates, the Dominion must confess, are a bit... serendipitous."

[Kenmoria]

"The 'Defines' clause lacks any finishing punctuation. That's all for now."

[Clean Land]

That Member-States rescind any and all biomedical research ethics standards and regulations that do not serve specifically to minimize or eliminate harm to provably, currently sentient or sapient life,

"What does that mean, exactly?
Specifically, what does provably, currently sentinent or sapient life mean?"

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Lord Naharis looked down his nose at this proposal, but he could hardly be blamed for that: his nose was just so long! He sat in his high-backed leather chair that his aids always managed to drag into the general assembly chambers and spoke.
"This haven...will be unlikely to support this proposal," he began. "Its mandates are rather over-strict when it concerns the freedom to research. Although this Haven is not a religious nation we are conscious that some religions forbid the experimentation on animals, and such things as stem cel research. Religious nations have a right to forbid such things, and who are we to tell them otherwise?"

[Tinfect]

"Next... it is the confusion of the Dominion as to why there is a semicolon after the 'hereby,'" the Mouth says, just sounding perplexed. "Is that... normal? It is the concession of the Dominion that it my have simply not noticed such before in other resolutions, but it seems... odd. It can fathom no reason why a semicolon would appear in such place in any normal sentence."

"It did not seem inappropriate." Says Seretis.

OOC:
Is that not a thing done with Resolutions? I could've sworn...
IC:

"Additionally, the semicolon after 'but not limited to' should be a colon, as in this case a list is introduced. Furthermore, it is the observation of the Dominion that given the pattern set in other clauses, this line should conclude with a comma. "Finally, 'currently sentient or sapient life,' ought to be followed by an '[b'and[/b],' thereby completely the sentence."

"This... is correct. I will see that the draft is revised accordingly."

"Next, it is the thought of the Dominion that..." the Mouth shrugs a bit, seeming almost sheepish. "Well, it shall just out and say it. Does this not seem just a bit... petty? At the very least, it is the concern of the Dominion that it may appear that way to certain member states. The Dominion does not doubt the sincerity of Tinfect's interest in biomedical interest, but the timing and circumstances of other debates, the Dominion must confess, are a bit... serendipitous."

"One would do well to avoid confusing 'pettiness' with prudence, Ambassador. To counter exceedingly poor legislation with a superior alternative is simple strategy."

"What does that mean, exactly?
Specifically, what does provably, currently sentinent or sapient life mean?"

"Simply what it says, Ambassador. Though I will admit the phrasing... leaves something to be desired. I will see that the clause is revised."

[Attempted Socialism]

"Full support. Excellent timing. If United Massachusetts indeed desires to improve health research, they should drop their own proposal and back this."

[The New California Republic]

OOC: Support. Fully. A well-balanced proposal that seems to do what it was designed to do.

[Uan aa Boa]

Does the Ambassador from Tinfect believe that requiring all research to be shared internationally will make governments more or less likely to promote original research within their nation (as opposed to taking advantage of the ability to access research from other more advanced nations)?

[Separatist Peoples]

Does the Ambassador from Tinfect believe that requiring all research to be shared internationally will make governments more or less likely to promote original research within their nation (as opposed to taking advantage of the ability to access research from other more advanced nations)?

OOC: Most research is shared internationally IRL, and plenty of nations still have innovative research. Funny, that.

[Liagolas]

"It did not seem inappropriate." Says Seretis.

OOC:
Is that not a thing done with Resolutions? I could've sworn...

"Hm, it may be the mistake of the Dominion," the Mouth says. "The Dominion has seen colons and commas before, just never semicolons, though it acknowledges that such is not all that much of a stretch."

OOC: My bad, for some reason I was thinking no formatting was standard, but looking back at resolutions, I see a lot with colons and commas, so semicolons don't seem unreasonable.

"One would do well to avoid confusing 'pettiness' with prudence, Ambassador. To counter exceedingly poor legislation with a superior alternative is simple strategy."

"Of course, of course," the Mouth says with a nod. "The Dominion wishes good fortune to you and your colleagues, Mr. Seretis."

[Tinfect]

OOC:
A number of suggested grammatical changes have been made. Anyone else? Anything else?

[United Massachusetts]

Yes. As written at present, this would force scientists to participate in embryonic stem cell research, despite their wishes."

[The New California Republic]

Yes. As written at present, this would force scientists to participate in embryonic stem cell research, despite their wishes."

OOC: Which part forces scientists to do that? Please quote the relevant section.

[States of Glory WA Office]

Yes. As written at present, this would force scientists to participate in embryonic stem cell research, despite their wishes."

OOC: Which part forces scientists to do that? Please quote the relevant section.

OOC: I mean, I doubt that Tinfect would deny it. Blocking UM's proposal is part of the point behind this.

[Stoskavanya]

Yes. As written at present, this would force scientists to participate in embryonic stem cell research, despite their wishes."

OOC: Which part forces scientists to do that? Please quote the relevant section.

By not specifically allowing them to walk away I assume?

The problem with adding an explicit clause to let them walk away is that it would be potentially inconsistent with rest of the nation's policy. So while you may allow a scientist to walk away from embryonic stem cell research, a state can still compel someone to work on something like nuclear weapons. (I think, I didn't actually read the resolutions, but my logic still stands), which makes adding such clause kinda clumsy and dissonant.

[United Massachusetts]

Yes. As written at present, this would force scientists to participate in embryonic stem cell research, despite their wishes."

OOC: Which part forces scientists to do that? Please quote the relevant section.

OOC: If forces nations to remove ethical restrictions on the practice. Conscientious objection is an ethical restriction.

[United Massachusetts]

OOC: Which part forces scientists to do that? Please quote the relevant section.

OOC: I mean, I doubt that Tinfect would deny it. Blocking UM's proposal is part of the point behind this.

OOC: Unfortunately.

[Tinfect]

Yes. As written at present, this would force scientists to participate in embryonic stem cell research, despite their wishes."

"Of course not, Ambassador. As with any other occupation, if research personnel do not wish to do their jobs, they are free to resign from their positions."

[United Massachusetts]

Yes. As written at present, this would force scientists to participate in embryonic stem cell research, despite their wishes."

"Of course not, Ambassador. As with any other occupation, if research personnel do not wish to do their jobs, they are free to resign from their positions."

"At the risk of being jailed for refusing to assist in the government's research."