Topic: Access to Medical Isotopes
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Annalise Brinks
School: East Grand Rapids High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Canada position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
Canada believes the use of medical isotopes has been very beneficial to the worldwide maintenance of health. Since Canada is one of the most major global suppliers of medical isotopes, supplying almost two thirds of the world’s Technetium (Tc-99) intake, Canada supports the use of these medical treatments as they further the advancement of disease research and remedies for severe diseases, including cancer. Although the use of these treatment and research methods is encouraged, Canada would like to draw to attention the need for alternative techniques and products that can be used for these medical and research-based purposes. The Canadian nuclear laboratory, Chalk River Laboratories, has had various issues in the past and will presumably close in 2016. The last time there was a routine shutdown of this facility for maintenance, there was a worldwide shortage of radioisotopes for medical treatment. This complication, along with the threat of the misuse of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) for destructive purposes, demonstrates how prevalent the necessity of alternative options is for the global community.
Canada strongly suggests and encourages the further research of alternatives to medical isotopes because of these shortages that happen in the global community. While we can still utilize these medical tools in research and diagnosis, it is important to have substitutes so we do not find ourselves in a crisis in times of need. These alternatives are also crucial for the individuals who will need these radioisotopes for medical uses and will not have access to them due to shortages and deficiencies in the production of these mechanisms.
On the other hand, if these mechanisms continue to be used these as frequently as they are now, then there must be a way to curb the costs of production and procurement and there must be further regulation and caution applied to the handling and exchanging of HEU products. First, the issue of cost for the production and procurement of these medical resources could be partially solved by the World Health Organization helping to provide funding to the production laboratories and the groups and organizations that must purchase these mechanisms. Second, there must be more regulation placed upon the commerce of HEU products because these resources can be used to build dangerous weapons with destructive intentions. The World Health Organization must ensure that these devices are being used purely as medical resources, not as the source of destruction and harm. This can be achieved by placing more regulations of the exchange and production of these products and by using more caution to promote the safety of these interactions.
In short, it is Canada’s priority to ensure that alternatives to medical isotopes are developed and ensure that there is safety and caution used in the exchange of HEU products. The World Health Organization must help the production laboratories and organizations that must purchase these mechanisms with financial aid to curb the cost of these medical resources. We must develop alternatives for Tc-99 medical isotopes in the near future in order to aid and prevent the world from struggling to assist people in times of crisis. Finally, it is the responsibility of the World Health Organization to protect the integrity of the exchange of HEU products. Canada calls the World Health Organization to action in solving all of these issues that arise in the use of medical isotopes.
