[PASSED] Biomedical Innovation Organization

[Mousebumples]

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description: THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens living in WA member nations, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, those found in the bone marrow and the umbilical cord, and other adult stem cells.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to facilitate and encourage the innovation of new treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO) within the World Health Authority (WHA), which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing biomedical tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with the engineering and international implementation of a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues within WA member nations. This system shall include, at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO) within the WHA, which shall develop educational programs highlighting:

1. The benefit to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such educational programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ARRANGES for the BEO to develop and provide Continuing Education courses for medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

SUGGESTS that all WA member nations work, independently or collaboratively, to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

VERSION VI

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.
-
BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens of WA member states, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as those found in the bone marrow, the umbilical cord, and umbilical cord blood; embryonic stem cells; and other adult stem cells.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to better facilitate and encourage the further innovation of treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO) within the World Health Authority (WHA), which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with the engineering and implementation of a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues, which shall include at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO) within the WHA, which shall develop educational programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such educational programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ARRANGES for the BEO to develop and provide Continuing Education courses for medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

SUGGESTS that all WA nations work to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

VERSION V

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens of WA member states, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to better facilitate and encourage the further innovation of treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with engineering a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues, which shall include at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

Character count: 2982

VERSION IV

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

APPLAUDS the development of past biomedical innovations.

UNDERSTANDS that despite such advances, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments with biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.
5. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with engineering a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues, which shall include at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

VERSION III:

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

APPLAUDS past advances made in the area of biomedical innovation.

UNDERSTANDS that despite such advances, there still remain medical conditions that are without sufficient effective treatments to aid those in need.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating biomedical research involving treatment with biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.
5. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

VERSION II:
(Markup free version in the thread itself)

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

APPLAUDS past advances made in the area of biomedical innovation.

UNDERSTANDS that despite such advances, there still remain medical conditions that are without sufficient effective treatments to aid those in need.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating biomedical research involving treatment with biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.
5. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies researching involving biomedical tissues innovations include a control group of some nature.

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which shall educate citizens and residents of WA member nations about:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to act to educate their citizens and residents about the importance of becoming a biomedical tissue donor to increase the number of volunteer donors on an international level.

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

APPLAUDS past advances made in the area of biomedical innovation.

UNDERSTANDS that despite such advances, there still remain medical conditions that are without sufficient effective treatments to aid those in need.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating biomedical research involving treatment with biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.
5. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies researching biomedical innovations include a control group of some nature.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to act to educate their citizens and residents about the importance of becoming a biomedical tissue donor to increase the number of volunteer donors on an international level.

So I've had this ... idea for a few months now. Of course, since the "idea" involves FIVE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS ... it took a bit of time to get off the ground. But here's what I have for you right now.

STEP ONE: The Repeals
(1) Organ and Blood Donations Act
(2) Stem Cells for Greater Health

I've been strongly against both for ... ages. I don't know that either repeal attempt (as being done by me) will surprise anyone. I think that the subjects are very similar and should be treated similarly on an international level. And that brings me/us to ...

STEP TWO: The Replacements
I've never replaced anything I've repealed myself. Because of my (IRL/OOC) medical background, this is one exception that I'm looking to make. I personally feel that both of these resolutions tried to do too much and didn't to much of it well, overall. As such, I "combined" the 2 concepts into "biomedical treatments" and covered 3 different arenas on the subject.

(1) Medical Donation Rights - Human Rights, Significant
(2) Biomedical Innovation Organization - Education & Creativity, Education
(3) Biomedical Trade & Treatment - Free Trade, Mild

I'll admit it - my first draft as a replacement was ... a mess. I tried to focus on Free Trade and ended up all over the place - a category violation waiting to happen, probably. I ended up "forgetting that" and starting over - and writing in the order that I indend to submit (see above) - and ... that seemed to work much better. Of course, if both repeals don't pass, I doubt that I could submit any of the replacements. (Maybe - I honestly haven't checked, but it seems likely to conflict with the originals.)

Questions and concerns are certainly welcome. However, please do use the above links to jump easily between the different drafts and offer your thoughts.

The RECOMMENDS clause is here because of past legislation - not that control groups are bad, of course! There's definitely room to expand this out a bit, if there are other educational items that should be included. (And I do love me some educational resolutions! <3)

Comments and critiques are welcome.

[Mousebumples]

I see no one really cares about an education proposal? Or is it just that no one has any objections? *crosses fingers that it's the latter*

All the same, I've made some edits, so here goes, sans editing markup:

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

APPLAUDS past advances made in the area of biomedical innovation.

UNDERSTANDS that despite such advances, there still remain medical conditions that are without sufficient effective treatments to aid those in need.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating biomedical research involving treatment with biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.
5. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which shall educate citizens and residents of WA member nations about:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

Like with the other drafts, I still have plenty of characters to "play with" if there's anything else that needs to be covered - or if there's something that needs to be further expanded upon.

Thanks for your consideration,
Nikolas Eberhart
Ambassador from the Doctoral Monkey Feet of Mousebumples
WA Delegate for Monkey Island

[Bears Armed]

OOC: I think that you need to add [at the least] a clause urging member nations to work with the committee, otherwise it's likely to fall foul of the 'Must do more than just create a committee' rule...

[Mousebumples]

OOC: I think that you need to add [at the least] a clause urging member nations to work with the committee, otherwise it's likely to fall foul of the 'Must do more than just create a committee' rule...

Thanks for the comment. I'll have to re-evaluate this draft at some point on those grounds. *adds to list*

EDIT: What about something along the lines of: RECOMMENDS that all WA member nations improve national resources presently available in order to better facilitate the drafting and accessibility of advance health care directives for their citizens. ? I think that would solve the "only creates a committee" problem and would also make it easier for individuals to create an advance health care directive.

[Glen-Rhodes]

As with the other two proposals in this project, Glen-Rhodes is mostly satisfied with this proposal. The only suggestion I have is a minor rewording:

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which shall engage in outreach programs highlighting:
1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

"Educat[ing] citizens and residents of WA member nations" is kind of formal language. It creates ambiguity about just what BEO would do. Does "educating people" mean setting education standards, for instance? Obviously not, but outreach programs carry a different and plainer meaning than "education."

- Dr. B. Castro

[Mousebumples]

As with the other two proposals in this project, Glen-Rhodes is mostly satisfied with this proposal. The only suggestion I have is a minor rewording:

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which shall engage in outreach programs highlighting:
1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

"Educat[ing] citizens and residents of WA member nations" is kind of formal language. It creates ambiguity about just what BEO would do. Does "educating people" mean setting education standards, for instance? Obviously not, but outreach programs carry a different and plainer meaning than "education."

I'm not opposed to rewording this clause (or the opening line, anyhow), but I'm not sure that's the best "new wording" as there's no wording to ensure that such outreach programs are actually used within WA member nations to inform their citizens.

What about .... ?

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which shall develop in outreach programs highlighting:
1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

---

And on a "not responding to Ambassador Castro" note here, I have another clause/concept I am considering adding. As always, feedback is more than welcome:

ENCOURAGES nations to develop systems, technologies, and/or techniques in which additional organs are made available for transplant that may otherwise not be used in such a manner.

Problem with the clause is that it's not as clear and doesn't really get across the point that I'm aiming for. Domino transplants are one such "source of transplants" that would illustrate this. (ABC News article about the process)

Basic summary for those who don't wish to read those links:

1. Patient A needs a kidney transplant, and her husband (Donor A) is willing to donate one to her. However, they are not a good match.
2. Donor A's kidney would be able to help Patient B, who needs a kidney. That individual's wife (Donor B) is not a match for Patient B, but is a match for Patient C.
3. So on and so forth until all of the "patients" in the chain get a matching kidney, using organs that otherwise wouldn't be used since their immediate family member is not a match.

As a RL note, in February 2012, a 60-person domino chain of 30 kidney transplants was completed. To my knowledge, that is the longest "chain" to date, and it makes me wonder how many of those transplant recipients would otherwise not have received a kidney and would still be on dialysis.

Another similar "example" is regarding cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. If a CF patient receives a new set of healthy lungs, these lungs do not "get" CF. (Their other affected organs - pancreas, intestines, etc. - are still affected, though.) Doctors may elect do a heart-lung transplant for CF patients (even though their own heart is healthy) and then transplant the CF-heart to a new patient in need of a heart transplant. Doing a heart-lung transplant is an easier surgery to complete and generally has a higher rate of success. However, doing a "domino transplant" with the otherwise healthy heart ensures that additional organs are available for those that need them.

Of course, the clause - as presently phrased - could also encourage the "growing" of healthy organs from stem cell tissues. (Be they embryonic cells or cord stem cells or ... whatever other stem cells.) This Wiki link talks about the first artificial trachea transplantation (July 2011) that was created using stem cells from the patient's own hip. (NPR article on the subject)

I'll be honest: whether they're "grown" or "donated" doesn't matter to me. I just want to ensure that this legislation will do all it can to make organs more readily available for those in need.

Further thoughts on this subject - or anything else - are more than welcome!

[Novus Niciae]

We feel that blood substitutes such as perfluorocarbon based blood oxygen carriers need to mentioned as well as various artificial organs since these areas are emerging technologies which with research could relive the problem of organ shortages due to poor donation rates.

Other than this the idea behind it seems pretty solid.

[Mousebumples]

We feel that blood substitutes such as perfluorocarbon based blood oxygen carriers need to mentioned as well as various artificial organs since these areas are emerging technologies which with research could relive the problem of organ shortages due to poor donation rates.

Other than this the idea behind it seems pretty solid.

Would the addition of a clause such as this one cover your concerns?

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

(Similar to the organ-based clause I mentioned above but made more general so as to cover blood substitutes and the like.)

I could also add a clause regarding the storage of cord blood stem cells, but I'm not sure if that would better fit in this draft or in the Biomedical Trade & Treatments (Free Trade) proposal.

Thanks for the feedback,
Nikolas Eberhart
Ambassador from the Doctoral Monkey Feet of Mousebumples
WA Delegate for Monkey Island

[Mousebumples]

New draft!

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

APPLAUDS past advances made in the area of biomedical innovation.

UNDERSTANDS that despite such advances, there still remain medical conditions that are without sufficient effective treatments to aid those in need.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating biomedical research involving treatment with biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.
5. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

As discussed in the past few posts, I've made some edits to what was originally just the last clause. Now, you know, that's become three clauses. Further suggestions are always welcome!

[Mousebumples]

VERSION IV
I've moved some things here from Biomedical Donor Rights and reworded some other things. I'm likely going to have to shorten the name here, so the question is whether "Biomed Innovation Organization" or "Biomedical Innovation Org" is better. Thoughts?

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

APPLAUDS the development of past biomedical innovations.

UNDERSTANDS that despite such advances, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments with biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.
5. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with engineering a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues, which shall include at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

Further replacement redrafts will be forthcoming, so stay tuned!

Comments and critiques and questions are more than welcome.

[Mousebumples]

Updated draft!

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens of WA member states, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to better facilitate and encourage the further innovation of treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with engineering a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues, which shall include at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, which develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.
4. Arranging for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

Character count: 2982

I'll probably be looking to submit this later this week sometime, so comments and critiques are certainly welcome in the meantime. Thanks!
Nikolas Eberhart
Ambassador from the Doctoral Monkey Feet of Mousebumples
WA Delegate for Monkey Island

[Discoveria]

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens of WA member states, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to better facilitate and encourage the further innovation of treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO), within the World Health Authority, which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature. It probably isn't appropriate for *all* studies to have a control group, but at least this is only a recommendation not a requirement.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with engineering a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues, which shall include at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, whichto develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.
4. Arranging

INSTRUCTS the BEO to arrange for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such outreach programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ENCOURAGES nations to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

Full support!

[Mousebumples]

I don't know that I'll time to reply to each of these threads before work this morning, but I'm going to try!

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature. It probably isn't appropriate for *all* studies to have a control group, but at least this is only a recommendation not a requirement.

This clause is in there because of past resolution precedent. See GAR#82 - Universal Clinical Trials Act. The wording here is similar to the wording in my resolution, GAR#103 - International Drug Education, which was deemed legal. Also, a "control" group does not necessarily need to be a placebo group. It could be a group getting the standard treatment compared to a group getting the new treatment. (Generally, if an established therapy exists, this is viewed as a more "humane" testing standard. It helps to have a comparison group, but not giving a particular group any treatment - especially with one already available - is arguably inhumane.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO), as a part of BIO, whichto develop outreach programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.
4. Arranging

INSTRUCTS the BEO to arrange for Continuing Education courses to be made available to medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

I've decided to split the BEO out of BIO, but I'll consider the other changes when I do another redraft later tonight/tomorrow.

Thanks for the suggestions and support!

[Discoveria]

RECOMMENDS that all studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature. It probably isn't appropriate for *all* studies to have a control group, but at least this is only a recommendation not a requirement.

This clause is in there because of past resolution precedent. See GAR#82 - Universal Clinical Trials Act. The wording here is similar to the wording in my resolution, GAR#103 - International Drug Education, which was deemed legal. Also, a "control" group does not necessarily need to be a placebo group. It could be a group getting the standard treatment compared to a group getting the new treatment. (Generally, if an established therapy exists, this is viewed as a more "humane" testing standard. It helps to have a comparison group, but not giving a particular group any treatment - especially with one already available - is arguably inhumane.)

Ah, I see. I read the term "studies" to mean any sort of observational or experimental study, e.g. case reports, case series, clinical trials at different stages, and so on. You're thinking only of clinical trials in patients comparing treatments, in which case it is appropriate to have a control group.

Um, carry on.

[Gullud]

This is a beautiful replacement for both of the recently repealed resolutions. Many may remember my impassioned speech during the first attempt at repeal of the "Organ and Blood Donations Act". I am happy that a better law is coming to replace it.

While the proposal is very well written (I have seen enough crap proposals for a career already), I found a small problem. It is not expected that most people would notice; but, I studied medicine for a year (nursing actually) before switching to political science at Blue University. In the specifies section, number 3, "Stem cells, such as bone marrow tissue, cord blood cells, embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells". Bone Marrow tissue is actually a blood product like platelets. The confusion is common. And it is a nit picky type of thing. I just want the proposal to be the perfect replacement to "Organ and Blood Donations Act".

Benifa Ren
Ambassador to the WA
Most Serene Nation of Gullud

[Mousebumples]

Per recent suggestions, here's a slightly amended draft:

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.
-
BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens of WA member states, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as those found in the bone marrow, the umbilical cord, and umbilical cord blood; embryonic stem cells; and other adult stem cells. In addition to the concerns about bone marrow tissue, I realized that bone marrow (or the previously listed cord blood) are not - in and of themselves - stem cells. However, they do contain stem cells, so I've clarified that phrasing. If there are no further objections, I'll be making these same edits in the other proposal drafts since similar phrasing is currently used in all four ...

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to better facilitate and encourage the further innovation of treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO) within the World Health Authority (WHA), which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing Biomedical Tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with the engineering and implementation of a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues, which shall include at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO) within the WHA, which shall develop educational programs highlighting:

1. The benefits to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such educational programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ARRANGES for the BEO to develop and provide Continuing Education courses for medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

SUGGESTS that all WA nations work to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

Optimally, I'll be submitting sometime later today, so further comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Mousebumples]

Re-re edit:

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens of WA member states, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, those found in the bone marrow and the umbilical cord, and other adult stem cells. Edited a bit from the previous version after consideration. The umbilical cord can provide stem cells (as cord blood - which includes various blood types for transfusion and various stem cells; and also as the cord tissue or Wharton's jelly, which contains a different kind of stem cells that works more to build bone, cartilage, connective tissue, etc.), but the list within a list format was confusing, so hopefully this is better and clearer.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to facilitate and encourage the innovation of new treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO) within the World Health Authority (WHA), which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing biomedical tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with the engineering and international implementation of a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues within WA member nations. This system shall include, at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO) within the WHA, which shall develop educational programs highlighting:

1. The benefit to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such educational programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ARRANGES for the BEO to develop and provide Continuing Education courses for medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

SUGGESTS that all WA nations work, independently or collaboratively, to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

Planning to submit shortly (once I get the two HR drafts "updated"), so now is the time to voice any concerns you might have ...

[Mousebumples]

This proposal has been submitted! Delegates, please approve!

And, yes, like my other two recent submission, this one also underwent more changes between the last draft and final submission.

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION ORGANIZATION
Category: Education & Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational | Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description: THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that despite the many advances that have been made in medical technology, there are still medical conditions in need of a cure or better treatments.

BELIEVES that, to better assure the health and wellness of citizens living in WA member nations, the World Assembly should work to facilitate the further development and innovation of medical technology and treatments.

SPECIFIES that “biomedical tissues” shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. Blood and blood products, such as platelets and plasma.
2. Organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.
3. Stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, those found in the bone marrow and the umbilical cord, and other adult stem cells.

ENCOURAGES all WA member nations to pass laws to facilitate and encourage the innovation of new treatments involving biomedical tissues.

CREATES the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO) within the World Health Authority (WHA), which will be tasked with:

1. Coordinating research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations, including the sharing of findings and breakthroughs on an international level.
2. Including research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study.
3. Ensuring that WA member nations appropriately submit patents for biomedical innovations as a part of the Universal Patent Archive.
4. Developing and distributing an effective and inexpensive test for testing biomedical tissues for any disease or infection prior to transplantation to a recipient.

RECOMMENDS that studies involving biomedical tissues include a control group of some nature.

INSTRUCTS the WHA to allocate an appropriate portion of their budget to assist with the engineering and international implementation of a low-cost and effective system for storing and maintaining previously donated biomedical tissues within WA member nations. This system shall include, at minimum:

1. Medically relevant details with regards to the results of the typing and testing that has been done.
2. Procedures to prevent the unintended or incorrect transplant or transfusion of biomedical tissues (e.g. the wrong biomedical tissues, etc.)

ESTABLISHES the Biomedical Education Organization (BEO) within the WHA, which shall develop educational programs highlighting:

1. The benefit to patients who are treated with biomedical tissues,
2. The details involved in donating biomedical tissues to be used for research and/or treatment, and
3. The importance of creating advance health care directives to ensure that one's own wishes are followed.

URGES all WA member nations to utilize such educational programs, or equivalents, to better educate their citizens regarding the aforementioned topics.

ARRANGES for the BEO to develop and provide Continuing Education courses for medical professionals throughout the multiverse in order to further the knowledge and expertise of practitioners in all WA member nations.

SUGGESTS that all WA member nations work, independently or collaboratively, to develop new systems, techniques, and technologies through which additional biomedical tissues shall be made available for transplant or transfusion.

[Gullud]

As we say in Gullud, Cool Beans

Benifa Ren
WA Ambassador
Gullud

[Charlotte Ryberg]

Biomedical Innovation might be a smarter title but it's all good.

[Mousebumples]

Biomedical Innovation might be a smarter title but it's all good.

The acronym is now BIO. I'll fully admit that's a big part of why it is what it is.

Thanks for the support!

[Camian WA Mission]

Wow, cool. As an advocate for Education, que proposals , this sounds great. Very well written - I am all in.

[Mousebumples]

Wow, cool. As an advocate for Education, que proposals , this sounds great. Very well written - I am all in.

Awesome, thanks for the support!

[Moronist Decisions]

AT VOTE!

This completes the suite of resolutions that Eberhart has over this issue. We strongly endorse and support this resolution, by order of the Lion upon a Joint Petition of the Council of Morons and the Assembly of Morons.

Dr. Johannes Frick
Representative to the World Assembly and Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs

[Mousebumples]

This completes the suite of resolutions that Eberhart has over this issue. We strongly endorse and support this resolution, by order of the Lion upon a Joint Petition of the Council of Morons and the Assembly of Morons.

Thank you for your support, Dr. Frick!

In the interests of completeness and accuracy, I do have one more proposal in the drafting phase that complements the others on this topic. However, I feel it needs more time to percolate prior to being submitted. While I absolutely do welcome comments on this proposal, please feel free to check out that raft as well and offer your comments, questions, and concerns.

Thanks to all who have supported this proposal so far!