Argument:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:
DECLARES that repealing GAR#49, "Stem Cells for Greater Health,"
will not prohibit stem cell treatments in WA member nations.
RECOGNIZES the necessity for the protection of potentially contentious medical research, including but not limited to stem cell research.
APPLAUDS the intent of this resolution, for its attempts at protecting an important avenue of medical research.
HIGHLIGHTS the myriad weaknesses of the Resolution, which include:
- The emphasis it places solely on stem-cell research:
- A broader base of support for innovative medical research may better encourage greater overall health and well-being in WA member nations.
- Some nations may have access to newer technology which may be more effective and further advanced than stem-cell research, which limits the usefulness of this resolution.
- The requirement with regards to the WHA funding and conducting research into stem cell uses alone restricts the WHA from focusing its resources towards the most promising and effective research by instead requiring that their resources be directed towards stem cell research even in the face of technological advances which make stem cell research obsolete.
- The failure to ensure patient access and/or affordability of stem cell treatments resulting from the research and development covered in this resolution.
REGRETS the lack of sufficiently appropriate and necessary regulations and/or guidelines when harvesting stem cells from any/all of their varied viable sources as the resolution only states that “
Stem Cells must be harvested in the most humane and least destructive way possible.”
BELIEVES that:
- Stem cells should be harvested as effectively and efficiently as possible, with as little risk to the donor as possible.
- Consent, specifically uncoerced, informed consent, should be obtained from the donor or legal guardian of stem cell tissue, which is not required within this resolution.
- Demand for stem cells may have increased as a result of this resolution, which may have resulted in unethical methods of stem cell harvesting and/or the exploitation of stem cell donors.
- Compensation the donation of stem cell tissue may be appropriate, but it is not covered within this resolution.
NOTES the World Assembly has affirmed the freedom of choice with regards to medical treatment, and the right to medically essential drugs and treatment.
LAMENTS, however, the lack of choice for donors of stem cells or patients receiving stem cell treatment within the text of this resolution.
ARGUES that this resolution is not only flawed and insufficient but may even serve as an impediment to the development of new innovations in medical technology and treatment.
ENCOURAGES the World Assembly to work to develop and promote effective, cutting edge technologies in the fields of health and science.
REPEALS GAR#49, "Stem Cells For Greater Health".
Co-Authored by:
Oliver the Mediocre
