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  • This house believes that the parents of Lulu and Nana should publicly come forward

    Infoslide

    In 2018, He Jiankui used then-novel CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically engineer a fetus for implantation into a donor mother. The aim of the genetic edit was to produce a mutation of the CCR5 gene allegedly conferring resistance against HIV-AIDS. The pregnancy led to the birth of two twin girls, known by the pseudonyms Lulu and Nana. He and the experiment were the subject of near universal condemnation. He failed to recreate the intended CCR5 mutation, and instead produced an unprecedented CCR5 variant as well as other off-target mutations in Lulu and Nana's genome. The physiological effects of such mutations are unknown. The ordeal was also shrouded in numerous ethical violations, including ill-informed consent of the donor parents, financial fraud, and secrecy. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) set up the Human Genome Editing (HGE) Registry to track scientific trials on human genome editing. He was found guilty of fraud and scientific misconduct in 2019 and was sent to 3 years in prison; he was let out of prison in 2022. As of February 2023, He claims both girls are safe and normal.

    Sydney AWGMDC 2023 · Open Grand Final · 2023-10-14

  • This house would allow parents to give the Politeness Pill to their children under the age of 18, regardless of the children's consent.

    Infoslide

    The Politeness Pill, when taken, temporarily permits only socially acceptable behavior, such as obedience, attendance at school, good manners, following the law, refraining from drugs and alcohol, etc.

    Strait Debate Open 2023 · Novice Final · 2023-10-14

  • This house would tell the world the truth about the "plandemic"

    Infoslide

    You are a medical practitioner who, by happy coincidence, ended up drinking with Anthony Fauci, the head of the American National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, and former medical advisor to President Biden. Having gotten extremely drunk, Mr. Fauci reveals to you, with irrefutable evidence, that the COVID-19 pandemic was in fact a "plandemic“, and that the virus was released deliberately to test the extent to which the US government can control and manipulate its population. The vaccines were never really efficient and were but a ploy to earn profit for the pharmaceutical industry. The next morning, Fauci doesn't remember telling you anything and remains unaware that you possess the information.

    Western Inter-varsity 2023 · Grand Final · 2023-10-07

  • This house would ban professional sports determined to result in high rates of injury ex: American Football, Boxing, MMA

    Fall Bash 2023 · Round 1 · 2023-10-06

  • This house prefers UK foundation training allocations to be random rather than performance-based.

    Infoslide

    In the UK, recent medical graduates undergo 2 years of 'foundation training' during which they rotate around 6 specialties for 4 months each across 20 locations. All UK graduates are asked to rank their preferred allocations. Until recently, graduates were ranked from first to last based on performance (e.g. results of a multiple-choice situational judgement test, medical school class rankings, existence of publications). Those at the top would be allocated their first choice before moving down the list. Last year, the system was changed so that graduates are now ranked randomly.

    Edinburgh Cup 2023 · Round 5 · 2023-09-30

  • That we should legalise performance enhancing drugs in sport

    Infoslide

    Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) include anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. PEDs can make people stronger and faster. PEDs are banned in many sports.

    Schools Day September 13th · Round 1 · 2023-09-13

  • This House Hopes that the future of humanity is transhumanism

    Infoslide

    Transhumanism refers to a future where advanced technologies are used to augment and transcend the biological limitations of humans (e.g. brain-computer interfaces, bionic implants, customizable genetic traits). It is meant to elevate human capabilities beyond their natural level, as opposed to medical uses of technology aimed at restoring basic capabilities (e.g. prosthetics for amputees, curing hereditary diseases).

    Black Sea European Universites Debating Championships 2023 · ESL Semifinals · 2023-08-21

  • This House Prefers drug regulatory bodies (e.g. FDA, EMA, MHRA) to only evaluate whether pharmaceuticals (e.g. treatments, medicines, vaccines) are safe, but not whether they are effective

    Black Sea European Universites Debating Championships 2023 · Round 7 · 2023-08-21

  • This house prefers a world with the Death Cast.

    Infoslide

    In the book They Both Die at The End, the "Death Cast" calls everyone to notify them of their own impending deaths, but without disclosing the cause of death and only on the day when they will certainly and inevitably die.

    Canadian Universities’ High School Nationals 2023 · Semifinals · 2023-08-19

  • A. This house believes that humanitarian organizations (IFRC, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF etc) should pivot away from the principle of "do no harm" to the principle of "harm minimization".

    Infoslide

    The "do no harm" humanitarian principle is derived from medical ethics and specifies that all humanitarian actions must not cause direct harm to a stakeholder or stakeholders in the immediate or foreseeable term. In contrast, the "harm minimization" principle considers the course of action that minimizes the nett harm inflicted on all stakeholders, even if some stakeholders are directly harmed in the process.

    Ho Chi Minh Debate Open 2023 · Novice Finals · 2023-08-12

  • A. This house believes that humanitarian organizations (IFRC, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF etc) should pivot away from the principle of "do no harm" to the principle of "harm minimization".

    Infoslide

    The "do no harm" humanitarian principle is derived from medical ethics and specifies that all humanitarian actions must not cause direct harm to a stakeholder or stakeholders in the immediate or foreseeable term. In contrast, the "harm minimization" principle considers the course of action that minimizes the nett harm inflicted on all stakeholders, even if some stakeholders are directly harmed in the process.

    Ho Chi Minh Debate Open 2023 · Open Semifinals · 2023-08-12

  • This house regrets the decision of many public health authorities to optimize for anticipated public reactions in their messaging during the pandemic as opposed to strictly stating facts

    Infoslide

    During the pandemic, public health authorities modified the release and messaging of information in anticipation of public response (eg. in March 2020 the CDC downplayed to effectiveness of masking in order to discourage public gathering and prevent hoarding of personal protective equipment, they heavily emphasized the effectiveness of vaccines in order to encourage their use)

    Queen's National High School Debate Championship 2023 · Round 2 · 2023-08-11

  • During epidemics and pandemics, this house would significantly reduce testing requirements for new vaccinations and medication.

    Auckland Schools' Debating Impromptu Cup 2023 · Round 3 · 2023-08-05