Topic: Access to Medical Isotopes
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Howard Henderson
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Colombia position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
As a proponent of medical research and development, Colombia strongly supports the use of radioactive isotopes in medicine. For this reason, Colombia is in favor of the creation of more TRIGA class reactors, a small class of nuclear reactor used for training, research, isotopes, and other general atomic uses (hence the acronym).
In the past, Colombia has used the single TRIGA reactor that it already owns to create medical isotopes, and has previously conducted experiments in the field. Colombia urges the WHO to consider the benefits of isotopes before considering the minor danger present due to radioactivity. There are many systems in place to maintain safety in the transport of isotopes which have been smoothly running for decades. The World Nuclear Association states: “since 1971 over 20,000 shipments of used fuel and high-level wastes have been shipped over many kilometers”, and also that “there have been accidents over the years, but never one in which a container with highly radioactive material has been breached, or has leaked”. If the past series of events can be used as a model for the future, then there is little to no issue. However, there is always room for improvement. Colombia is open to the ideas of other nations in regards to safety, but specifically wishes to focus on the production of the particles. The demand is increasing, but the supply is diminishing. It is of the utmost importance that this demand is met. Failing that, the loss of life and the suffering caused are not amenable.
An increase in isotope production also opens a separate issue. Highly enriched uranium (HEU), which is used in nuclear weapons, is the most efficient source of medical isotopes. To maintain a sufficient of production in relative safety, Colombia recommends the use of a small pool-type reactor (which runs without the use of a containment building). These reactors (TRIGA reactors) most often used for research (and therefore use low-enriched uranium, however they were originally designed for use of HEU), but Colombia believes that the installment of such reactors in larger hospitals within countries could benefit the medical community. If the HEU is not stored in large quantities, then the risk is reduced. The installation of such small reactors creates a more “on-demand” supply of isotopes, shortening the gap between the source and the consumer, creating less risk in transportation, and making it cheaper too. As an added bonus, the power outputted from running the reactor can keep the hospitals’ electrical bills lower.
The proposal may raise fear that the reactor could harm the patients at the hospitals. TRIGA reactors are most often used in universities and other institutions; they are designed to be safe and have an extremely low risk of meltdown. In Colombia’s eyes, the future of medical isotopes lies with TRIGA reactors. Its recommendation is that the United Nations forms a council to discern major hospitals in various countries that can support a small reactor. Then, the council will authorize the construction of the reactors, and get them constructed. The expense is an investment with return in medical progress. The installation of TRIGA reactors can serve as a valuable tool in saving lives and combatting disease, and Colombia recommends their use in order to solve the issue of medical isotopes.
Works Cited
Transport of Radioactive Materials. (2014, August 1). Retrieved November 9, 2014, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Transport/Transport-of-Radioactive-Materials/
TRIGA. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2014, from Transport of Radioactive Materials. (2014, August 1). Retrieved November 9, 2014, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Transport/Transport-of-Radioactive-Materials/
