[DEFEATED] Water Fluoridation Act

[Sedgistan]

This is my first time drafting a resolution, all feedback is appreciated!

Water Fluoridation Act
Category: Health | Area: Research

---

Noting the World Assembly’s precedent in supporting the health of the public,

Alarmed by the negative health and financial impacts of tooth decay,

Recognizing the benefits of water fluoridation to dental health,

Further recognizing that a 'one-size fits all' approach to water fluoridation is unwise, as the level of fluoridation required depends on unique local circumstances,

The General Assembly hereby:

1. Defines “water fluoridation” as the artificial, controlled adjustment of fluoride concentration in public drinking water sources,
   
   
2. Defines "public drinking water sources" as a water supply system that provides water used for sapient consumption for at least 20% of the year, including treatment, storage, transportation, and distribution,
   
   
3. Mandates member nations to
   
   
   1. conduct research on natural and artificial fluoride levels in public drinking water sources,
      
      
   2. research the health impacts of artificially altering water fluoridation levels in a public drinking water source on the local population,
      
      
   3. send all of the aforementioned research data to the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) for processing,
   
   
4. Tasks the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) with
   
   
   1. analyzing the research conducted by member nations to issue recommendations on optimal water fluoridation practices based on the local circumstances, including recommendations on the optimal fluoride concentration and method of water fluoridation,
      
      
   2. consulting the relevant local scientific authorities when creating and issuing recommendations for specific public drinking water sources,
      
      
   3. assisting member nations with conducting this research if the IBWS determines they require help due to financial, technological, or logistical limitations, and those nations explicitly request assistance, and
      
      
   4. aiding member nations with water fluoridation if the IBWS determines they require help due to financial, technological, or logistical limitations, and those nations explicitly request assistance,
   
   
5. Requires member states to fluoridate their public drinking water sources to optimal fluoride levels, based on the analysis and recommendations of the IBWS,
   
   
6. Gives an exception to clause 5 for member states which
   
   
   1. do not have the technological or logistical means to safely fluoridate water,
      
      
   2. would suffer from demonstrable, widespread health concerns due to water fluoridation as a result of the biology of their citizens, or
      
      
   3. would receive no demonstrable, widespread dental benefits as a result of the biology of their citizens.

Water Fluoridation Act
Category: Health | Strength: Significant

---

Noting the World Assembly’s precedent in supporting the health of the public,

Alarmed by the negative health and financial impacts of tooth decay,

Recognizing the benefits of fluoridation to dental health,

Further recognizing that the extent of fluoridation required can change depending on such factors as geography, climate, and biology,

The General Assembly hereby:

1. Defines “water fluoridation” as the artificial, controlled adjustment of fluoride concentration in public drinking water sources,
   
   
2. Tasks the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) to
   
   
   1. conduct research on natural and artificial fluoride levels of water sources,
      
      
   2. conduct research on the health impacts of artificially increasing fluoride levels, and
      
      
   3. determine optimal fluoridation levels for different geographical locations, sapient species, and other relevant variables,
   
   
3. Requires member states to fluoridate their water to optimal fluoride levels, based on the recommendations and research by the IBWS and relevant local scientific authorities,
   
   
4. Gives an exception to clause 3 for member states which
   
   
   1. Do not have the technological or logistical means to properly fluoridate water,
      
      
   2. Would suffer from demonstrable health concerns due to fluoridation as a result of the biology of their citizens, or
      
      
   3. Would receive no demonstrable dental benefits as a result of their citizens not having teeth, drinking water, or other biological reasons.

Water Fluoridation Act
Category: Health | Area: Healthcare

---

Noting the World Assembly’s precedent in supporting the health of the public,

Alarmed by the negative health and financial impacts of tooth decay,

Recognizing the benefits of water fluoridation to dental health,

Further recognizing that the extent of water fluoridation required can change depending on such factors as geography, climate, and biology,

The General Assembly hereby:

1. Defines “water fluoridation” as the artificial, controlled adjustment of fluoride concentration in public drinking water sources,
   
   
2. Tasks the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) to
   
   
   1. conduct research on natural and artificial fluoride levels of water sources,
      
      
   2. conduct research on the health impacts of artificially increasing fluoride levels, and
      
      
   3. determine optimal water fluoridation levels for different geographical locations, sapient species, and other relevant variables,
   
   
3. Requires member states to fluoridate their water to optimal fluoride levels, based on the recommendations and research by the IBWS and relevant local scientific authorities,
   
   
4. Gives an exception to clause 3 for member states which
   
   
   1. Do not have the technological or logistical means to properly fluoridate water,
      
      
   2. Would suffer from demonstrable health concerns due to water fluoridation as a result of the biology of their citizens, or
      
      
   3. Would receive no demonstrable dental benefits as a result of their citizens not having teeth, drinking water, or other biological reasons.

Water Fluoridation Act
Category: Health | Area: Healthcare

---

Noting the World Assembly’s precedent in supporting the health of the public,

Alarmed by the negative health and financial impacts of tooth decay,

Recognizing the benefits of water fluoridation to dental health,

Further recognizing that the extent of water fluoridation required can change depending on such factors as geography, climate, and biology,

The General Assembly hereby:

1. Defines “water fluoridation” as the artificial, controlled adjustment of fluoride concentration in public drinking water sources,
   
   
2. Tasks the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) to
   
   
   1. conduct research on natural and artificial fluoride levels of water sources,
      
      
   2. conduct research on the health impacts of artificially altering the fluoride levels, and
      
      
   3. determine optimal water fluoridation levels for different geographical locations, sapient species, and other relevant variables,
   
   
3. Requires member states to fluoridate their water to optimal fluoride levels, based on the recommendations and research by the IBWS and relevant local scientific authorities,
   
   
4. Gives an exception to clause 3 for member states which
   
   
   1. Do not have the technological or logistical means to properly fluoridate water,
      
      
   2. Would suffer from demonstrable health concerns due to water fluoridation as a result of the biology of their citizens, or
      
      
   3. Would receive no demonstrable dental benefits as a result of their citizens not having teeth, drinking water, or other biological reasons.

[/list]

Water Fluoridation Act
Category: Health | Area: Research

---

Noting the World Assembly’s precedent in supporting the health of the public,

Alarmed by the negative health and financial impacts of tooth decay,

Recognizing the benefits of water fluoridation to dental health,

Further recognizing that the extent of water fluoridation required can change depending on such factors as geography, climate, and biology,

The General Assembly hereby:

1. Defines “water fluoridation” as the artificial, controlled adjustment of fluoride concentration in public drinking water sources,
   
   
2. Mandates member nations to
   
   
   1. conduct research on natural and artificial fluoride levels of water sources,
      
      
   2. conduct research on the health impacts of artificially altering the fluoride levels,
      
      
   3. send all of the research data to the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) for processing,
   
   
3. Tasks the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) with
   
   
   1. analyzing the research conducted by member nations to issue recommendations on optimal water fluoridation practices for different geographical locations, sapient species, and other relevant variables,
      
      
   2. assisting member nations in conducting this research if they request help for financial, technological, or logistical reasons, and
      
      
   3. aiding member regions in water fluoridation if they request help on the basis of financial, technological, or logistical need.
   
   
4. Requires member states to fluoridate their water to optimal fluoride levels, based on the analysis and recommendations of the IBWS,
   
   
5. Gives an exception to clause 4 for member states which
   
   
   1. do not have the technological or logistical means to properly fluoridate water,
      
      
   2. would suffer from demonstrable health concerns due to water fluoridation as a result of the biology of their citizens, or
      
      
   3. would receive no demonstrable dental benefits as a result of their citizens not having teeth, drinking water, or other biological reasons,

[Honeydewistania]

Health doesn’t have a strength, only an area of effect (Healthcare, Research, Bioethics and Foreign Aid).

[Kenmoria]

“If you want to use a defined term, for example ‘water fluoridation’ then you need to use the phrase verbatim. Just a note: your current definition includes lowering the amount of fluorine in water. This doesn’t pose an issue with the current draft, but is something of which to be aware.”

[Scalizagasti]

Health doesn’t have a strength, only an area of effect (Healthcare, Research, Bioethics and Foreign Aid).

"My apologies, I have corrected this error"

“If you want to use a defined term, for example ‘water fluoridation’ then you need to use the phrase verbatim. Just a note: your current definition includes lowering the amount of fluorine in water. This doesn’t pose an issue with the current draft, but is something of which to be aware.”

"Thank you for the feedback, I have changed all instances of 'fluoridation' to 'water fluoridation' to use the defined term verbatim. However, the word 'adjustment' was purposefully chosen in the definiton as it allows for the removal of fluoride content as well. In some cases, water has naturally high levels of fluoride which may be greater than an 'optimal' level."

[Maowi]

However, the word 'adjustment' was purposefully chosen in the definiton as it allows for the removal of fluoride content as well. In some cases, water has naturally high levels of fluoride which may be greater than an 'optimal' level."

"Only a small quibble, but would it not then be useful to broaden clause 2.b. from "increasing" to generally "altering" for a similar reason?"

[Scalizagasti]

However, the word 'adjustment' was purposefully chosen in the definiton as it allows for the removal of fluoride content as well. In some cases, water has naturally high levels of fluoride which may be greater than an 'optimal' level."

"Only a small quibble, but would it not then be useful to broaden clause 2.b. from "increasing" to generally "altering" for a similar reason?"

"That is an excellent point and something I overlooked, I will make the changes now"

[Moral and Dental Decay]

A filthy old man with a long, olive overcoat and a wide brimmed, bright purple, furred hat walks in. He seems to be covered in a layer of dust, other than the hat and it's very long plume, which reaches down almost as far as the man's disgusting beard. He hobbles over to an occupied desk and leans over another ambassador's copy of the resolution, getting far too close to the seated delegate in the process. A pity, since the man's trailing beard be embedded with bits of old food and...is that plaster?

He sets down a heavy suitcase and opens it, removing a large black and grey cat, which he placed on his shoulder. With speed belied by his old age, he seized the microphone attached to the ambassador's desk and pulled it to his face. Plastic cracked and the microphone's housing separated from the desk.

"The moral and dental hygiene of the world today is terrible! Terrible! We support any proposal that improves the moral or dental hygiene of the people. After all, a clean mouth brings a clean mind, and vice visa rewards program!"

[Untecna]

Not supported. The enforced fluoridation of water is a threat to national sovereignty and is more of a national issue than an international one.

[Kenmoria]

Not supported. The enforced fluoridation of water is a threat to national sovereignty and is more of a national issue than an international one.

(OOC: NatSov is a poor argument, since it could be applied to any area of General Assembly legislation, and because nations voluntarily give up a share of national sovereignty when they join the organisation. I think that water fluoridation is an issue that can certainly be targeted on an international scale.)

[Untecna]

Not supported. The enforced fluoridation of water is a threat to national sovereignty and is more of a national issue than an international one.

(OOC: NatSov is a poor argument, since it could be applied to any area of General Assembly legislation, and because nations voluntarily give up a share of national sovereignty when they join the organisation. I think that water fluoridation is an issue that can certainly be targeted on an international scale.)

(OOC: Sure, and radio can't.)

[Separatist Peoples]

(OOC: NatSov is a poor argument, since it could be applied to any area of General Assembly legislation, and because nations voluntarily give up a share of national sovereignty when they join the organisation. I think that water fluoridation is an issue that can certainly be targeted on an international scale.)

(OOC: Sure, and radio can't.)

Ooc: fluoride is a persistant contaminant. Radio waves are not. You have a persistent blind spot to the flaws in your own arguments which is going to keep tripping you up.

[Untecna]

(OOC: Sure, and radio can't.)

Ooc: fluoride is a persistant contaminant. Radio waves are not. You have a persistent blind spot to the flaws in your own arguments which is going to keep tripping you up.

OOC: I don't have to understandably worry about that, Separatist. As I am not technically in the WA on this account, I don't have any problem with my own problems, thank you very much. Although I still guideline myself within the WA legislation, as I can not vote, it doesn't really matter on my opinion anyways. Also, please stop attacking my opinion everyone.

[Separatist Peoples]

Ooc: fluoride is a persistant contaminant. Radio waves are not. You have a persistent blind spot to the flaws in your own arguments which is going to keep tripping you up.

OOC: I don't have to understandably worry about that, Separatist. As I am not technically in the WA on this account, I don't have any problem with my own problems, thank you very much. Although I still guideline myself within the WA legislation, as I can not vote, it doesn't really matter on my opinion anyways. Also, please stop attacking my opinion everyone.

OOC: If you can't defend your opinion, its a lousy opinion.

Your rhetorical point is the point I addressed. It had nothing to do with your IC membership or OOC choices. You argued that there is no substantive difference between regulating fluoride and regulating radio waves. I explained how this is false. As such, the author now knows not to accept the flawed argument you offered. Welcome to how debate works.

[Untecna]

OOC: I don't have to understandably worry about that, Separatist. As I am not technically in the WA on this account, I don't have any problem with my own problems, thank you very much. Although I still guideline myself within the WA legislation, as I can not vote, it doesn't really matter on my opinion anyways. Also, please stop attacking my opinion everyone.

OOC: If you can't defend your opinion, its a lousy opinion.

Your rhetorical point is the point I addressed. It had nothing to do with your IC membership or OOC choices. You argued that there is no substantive difference between regulating fluoride and regulating radio waves. I explained how this is false. As such, the author now knows not to accept the flawed argument you offered. Welcome to how debate works.

OOC: If I said that my opinion doesn't really carry much merit because I'm not in the WA, why are you still arguing with me about it?

[Untecna]

OOC: And besides, Regional Gameplay and Politics is WAY more fun. BTW, check out The Commonwealth of the Argimin!

[Separatist Peoples]

OOC: If you can't defend your opinion, its a lousy opinion.

Your rhetorical point is the point I addressed. It had nothing to do with your IC membership or OOC choices. You argued that there is no substantive difference between regulating fluoride and regulating radio waves. I explained how this is false. As such, the author now knows not to accept the flawed argument you offered. Welcome to how debate works.

OOC: If I said that my opinion doesn't really carry much merit because I'm not in the WA, why are you still arguing with me about it?

Ooc: bad arguments should be called out. That's how the forum works.

OOC: And besides, Regional Gameplay and Politics is WAY more fun. BTW, check out The Commonwealth of the Argimin!

Ooc: cool. Go bother them.

[Untecna]

OOC: If I said that my opinion doesn't really carry much merit because I'm not in the WA, why are you still arguing with me about it?

Ooc: bad arguments should be called out. That's how the forum works. (But that really doesn't answer my question, why are you arguing about it? Might as well just ignore it if that's what you want everyone else to do.)

OOC: And besides, Regional Gameplay and Politics is WAY more fun. BTW, check out The Commonwealth of the Argimin!

Ooc: cool. Go bother them.

(I much enjoy that region, thank you. I think you would too, just saying.)

[Separatist Peoples]

Ooc: bad arguments should be called out. That's how the forum works. (But that really doesn't answer my question, why are you arguing about it? Might as well just ignore it if that's what you want everyone else to do.)



Ooc: cool. Go bother them.

(I much enjoy that region, thank you. I think you would too, just saying.)

Ooc: hard pass after seeing that rmb. The GA is the wrong place to pimp your region. Take it elsewhere.

[Untecna]

(I much enjoy that region, thank you. I think you would too, just saying.)

Ooc: hard pass after seeing that rmb. The GA is the wrong place to pimp your region. Take it elsewhere.

Well if you'd ever like to debate again: viewtopic.php?ns=1&f=20&t=494957

[Separatist Peoples]

Ooc: hard pass after seeing that rmb. The GA is the wrong place to pimp your region. Take it elsewhere.

Well if you'd ever like to debate again: viewtopic.php?ns=1&f=20&t=494957

Ooc: if you have a specific argument to make about a policy in a GA thread, I'm happy to read it. I may even comment. Your bad debating isnt so special as to merit it's own thread. I'm not going to spam in General with you.

And it's been locked. Cheers.

[Scalizagasti]

"Does anyone else have any feedback or comments they would like to make?"

[Scalizagasti]

(Last bump before I submit)

[Cretox State]

Perhaps Regulation | Safety is a better category?

Edit: Given that part of the IBWS' mandate is ensuring fluoride levels aren't too high, and this proposal aims to decrease the burden on national healthcare systems, not increase it.

[Scalizagasti]

"I have made a fourth draft of this resolution. I was recommended to give nations a greater responsibility to conduct research, with the IBWS acting as a sort of aggregator to collect and analyze the data, ultimately providing detailed recommendations based on the relevant variables. Of course, if nations are unable to do so, the IBWS can step in and help them with this research."

Perhaps Regulation | Safety is a better category?

Edit: Given that part of the IBWS' mandate is ensuring fluoride levels aren't too high, and this proposal aims to decrease the burden on national healthcare systems, not increase it.

"What you have said is true. However, I have decided to change it to Health | Research rather than Regulation | Safety, because much of the resolution has to do with conducting the research on water fluoridation."

[Cretox State]

"What you have said is true. However, I have decided to change it to Health | Research rather than Regulation | Safety, because much of the resolution has to do with conducting the research on water fluoridation."

Under this version, Research would be reasonable.

Edit: Your writing is quite decent, and I think this is something potentially worthwhile to pursue. However, the current draft simply isn't up to par yet, and little bits of sloppiness really add up. I suggest holding off on submitting for another week or so just to make sure this is up to snuff.

Noting the World Assembly’s precedent in supporting the health of the public,

Alarmed by the negative health and financial impacts of tooth decay,

Recognizing the benefits of water fluoridation to dental health,

This is fine for a preamble.

Further recognizing that the extent of water fluoridation required can change depending on such factors as geography, climate, and biology,

This reads a bit strangely to me, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

The General Assembly hereby:

1. Defines “water fluoridation” as the artificial, controlled adjustment of fluoride concentration in public drinking water sources,

Meaning what? A remote spring can be a "public drinking water source."

Mandates member nations to

1. conduct research on natural and artificial fluoride levels of water sources,

Perhaps say "in" water sources, though I suppose "of" works as well. But what research? You don't define a water source; this means researching any source of water in general.

conduct research on the health impacts of artificially altering the fluoride levels,

The fluoride levels of what?

[*]send all of the research data to the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) for processing,[/list]

Please specify what research data you're referring to.

Tasks the International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) with

[list=a][*]analyzing the research conducted by member nations to issue recommendations on optimal water fluoridation practices for different geographical locations, sapient species, and other relevant variables,

This is incredibly vague.

assisting member nations in conducting this research if they request help for financial, technological, or logistical reasons, and

This assistance must be provided upon request, regardless of actual need for such assistance? Especially financial assistance?

aiding member regions in water fluoridation if they request help on the basis of financial, technological, or logistical need.

Same problem as above.

[*]Requires member states to fluoridate their water to optimal fluoride levels, based on the analysis and recommendations of the IBWS,

Why can't national or local organizations be trusted to analyze their own data? Or at least have some say in the process? Additionally, this clause refers to all water in a member nation.

Gives an exception to clause 4 for member states which

[list=a][*]do not have the technological or logistical means to properly fluoridate water,

What does "properly" mean in this context?

would suffer from demonstrable health concerns due to water fluoridation as a result of the biology of their citizens, or

Some citizens are allergic to fluoride. Can the nation's entire water supply be exempted from clause 4?

would receive no demonstrable dental benefits as a result of their citizens not having teeth, drinking water, or other biological reasons,

You... might want to read this clause again and figure out what it's supposed to mean.

Overall, this has potential. It just needs more work, especially on tightening up the wording.