NationStates Jolt Archive


The Antibiotic-Resistant Disease Reduction Act

09-10-2003, 21:54
We in Gurthark are considering submitting the following proposal to the United Nations. Please give us feedback on the proposal. If this or an amended version seems to have reasonable support, we will submit it next Monday for delegate consideration.

Thank you,
Miranda Googleplex
United Nations Ambassador
Community of Gurthark

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The Antibiotic-Resistant Disease Reduction Act

A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry. [OOC: Unfortunately, there's no public health category]
Industry affected: All businesses [OOC: Unfortunately, it's not possible to select agriculture only here]

The over-use of antibiotics is leading to massively increased incidence of antibiotic-resistent strains of dangerous bacteria. This is an issue of international concern: If a bacteria-resistent strain develops in one nation, it can quickly spread to the nation's neighbors and the entire world.

While there are many areas where antibiotics are being over-used, arguably the most serious is in agriculture. Antibiotics whose proper use is the treatment of dangerous diseases are being used to speed livestock growth.

This resolution bans the use of antibiotics on livestock except in four specific cases:

1. To treat an existing disease diagnosed by a veterinarian.
2. As prophylaxis when an animal has been exposed to a disease, as verified by a veterinarian.
3. As prophylaxis when there is a currently active epidemic in an animal population, as verified by the nation's agricultural authorities.
4. When the antibiotics are not used in the treatment of any human disease.
10-10-2003, 17:57
Actually, we have decided to drop case four above, due primarily to feedback from our surgeon general, Fiona Bixby. Dr. Bixby pointed out that cross-resistences are so common, and so difficult to predict, that overusing even those antibiotics not used to treat humans is likely to encourage resistances to some antibiotics that *are* used in human treatment.

Bacteria are devious little creatures.

Sincerely,
Miranda Googleplex
United Nations Ambassador
Community of Gurthark
10-10-2003, 21:17
More than glad to vote for your bill but I am a lowly un member not a delagate.

I am working toward getting that power but have not achieved enough votes.

In return for my future vote would you be so kind as to review my population engineering proposal and vote for it if you find it acceptable to you.
10-10-2003, 21:49
More than glad to vote for your bill but I am a lowly un member not a delagate.

I am working toward getting that power but have not achieved enough votes.

In return for my future vote would you be so kind as to review my population engineering proposal and vote for it if you find it acceptable to you.

Since Gurthark is not a delegate either, we cannot do anything to support your bill until it reaches quorum.

However, I will take a look at it, and will post Gurthark's reaction when I have it.

Sincerely,
Miranda Googleplex
United Nations Ambassador
Community of Gurthark
11-10-2003, 01:01
Fellow nations,

If you take the second option in the poll ("I would support something much like this, but only with amendments"), please post to tell us what those amendments would be!

Thank you,
Miranda Googleplex
United Nations Ambassador
Community of Gurthark