Topic: The Ethics of Experimental Treatments
Country: Belarus
Delegate Name: Macey Smalley
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Belarus position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
Medical sciences are divided into two categories: practice of medicines and research. The practices of medical sciences are often looked down upon due to side effects considered unethical. People can be scared by the happenings of these experimental treatments but, after all, that is what they are; experiments. We are exploring with the unknown to protect ourselves, and we will not be stopped by the fear of what could happen.
Belarus relies on these types of treatments to improve the health of its citizens. Due to the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986 many radioactive particles were released into the air over most of Europe and other parts of the world. Belarusians have suffered enormously due to their close proximity to Ukraine. Children and many other people in Belarus have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer along with many other types of cancer such as skin and lung cancer because of exposure to radioactive particles in their environment.
Belarus sees this as a very large problem. Before the Chernobyl disaster Belarus’ life expectancy was around seventy two years. After the incident the life expectancy dropped about ten years. In neighboring countries the life expectancy dropped even more. In 2002, the life expectancy in Belarus started to increase until it was above its previous rate before the incident due to experimental treatments. We see a need to continue with experimental treatments for the safety of our country and many others.
