Western Asia
14-11-2003, 07:25
The following working paper is cycled through the General Assembly for the consideration of fellow delegates.
Resolution on Biotechnology
Topic: Genetic Cloning
Sponsors: Western Asia
Signatories:
Title:Resolution on the Creation and Use of Agricultural GMOs
The General Assembly,
Recognizing that the rapid development of the life sciences opens up tremendous prospects for the improvement of the health and lives of individuals and mankind as a whole, but also that certain practices pose potential dangers to the safety and health of individuals and groups of individuals,
Acknowledging the presence of both possible beneficial and harmful effects of the genetic modification of organisms for use in agriculture,
Convinced that the advances in biotechnology must consequently be closely watched and regulated to prevent the immoral and/or unlawful use of the technology,
Determined to provide for the safety and health of all peoples exposed to such organisms,
Conscious of the vast power that the genetic modification of organisms constitutes,
Noting the resolution on bioethics adopted on 2 November 2001 by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
Aware of the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the elaboration, by the international community, of an appropriate response to this problem,
Believing that the matter deserves continuing and directed attention,
1. Decides to organize an international forum, open to all States Members of the United Nations or members of relevant agencies, to further explore issues arising from the progression of the application of biotechnology in Agriculture,
A) Entitled the Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (FAB),
B) Where nations embarked or embarking on programs researching the application, feasibility, and safety of GMOs may share and discuss information arising from their programs, thus increasing the availability and depth of knowledge on the subject,
C) Where developed nations are encouraged to assist developing nations in their acquisition of agricultural biotechnology by,
i) Financial assistance,
ii) Making the results of previous research available,
D) Which should file reports to the 6th Committee advising the Committee about current issues and advances in agricultural biotechnology,
E) Which should hold a conference,
i) Held no less often than once a year,
ii) Where current issues and advances in agricultural biotechnology are debated,
iii) Initially meeting at UN Headquarters in New York,
iv) Hosted thereafter in various sponsor countries on a rotating voluntary basis,
v) Where restrictions and limitations on agricultural biotechnology may be suggested for review by FAB,
vi) Intended as a means for the further dissemination of research information,
F) Which should maintain relations with the WHO, other NGOs, and IGOs,
i) to increase the impact of the FAB,
ii) to make information on the matter of agricultural biotechnology more readily and fully available,
G) Which will have the ability to expand the breadth of discussions to address emerging and new issues involving agricultural biotechnology;
2. Supports the use of genetic modification of agricultural species for the purpose of:
A) encouraging the productive and pertinent research and development of improved food sources to increase the availability of nutritious food sources for developing nations and peoples lacking adequate sources of foodstuffs,
B) expanding the body of knowledge pertaining to the methods of disease progression and to methods of preventing or combating disease,
C) for the general betterment of humanity and the world,
D) for the creation of medicinal products;
3. Encourages the proper control of the propagation of genetically modified or enhanced agriculture by states,
A) by adhering a label or warning to products derived from or possibly including GMOs of any significant measure,
B) by enacting measures to fully test and properly isolate any new GMOs before they are released into common use and dissemination,
i) to ensure the safety of the public,
ii) to ensure the maintenance of bio-diversity in ecosystems,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Relevant Definitions:
GMO- Genetically Modified Organism
WHO- World Health Organization
NGO- Non-Governmental Organizations
IGO- Intergovernmental organizations
Agricultural Biotechnology- a collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to create, improve, or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms.
OOC:
I've done RL Model UN for a while now, but have not found much time or use in the NS MUN. I am going to try to present somewhat realistic proposals for resolutions on important topics.
Unfortunately, I've remained mostly inactive on the NS UN due to the fact that the filing system makes it very difficult to have ambiguous or specialized proposals such as the above, which would have effects on economics, national policies, and civil rights that are at a level of distinction very much smaller than the NS game system can handle.
I hope that others will find the above proposal realistic and, in general, worthy of support. I have not submitted this to the proposal system since others might still have some points to add.
It should be noted that the above document is the result of a conference on cloning and biotechnology that was joined by Freebodnik IV and Western Asia, among others.
Resolution on Biotechnology
Topic: Genetic Cloning
Sponsors: Western Asia
Signatories:
Title:Resolution on the Creation and Use of Agricultural GMOs
The General Assembly,
Recognizing that the rapid development of the life sciences opens up tremendous prospects for the improvement of the health and lives of individuals and mankind as a whole, but also that certain practices pose potential dangers to the safety and health of individuals and groups of individuals,
Acknowledging the presence of both possible beneficial and harmful effects of the genetic modification of organisms for use in agriculture,
Convinced that the advances in biotechnology must consequently be closely watched and regulated to prevent the immoral and/or unlawful use of the technology,
Determined to provide for the safety and health of all peoples exposed to such organisms,
Conscious of the vast power that the genetic modification of organisms constitutes,
Noting the resolution on bioethics adopted on 2 November 2001 by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
Aware of the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the elaboration, by the international community, of an appropriate response to this problem,
Believing that the matter deserves continuing and directed attention,
1. Decides to organize an international forum, open to all States Members of the United Nations or members of relevant agencies, to further explore issues arising from the progression of the application of biotechnology in Agriculture,
A) Entitled the Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (FAB),
B) Where nations embarked or embarking on programs researching the application, feasibility, and safety of GMOs may share and discuss information arising from their programs, thus increasing the availability and depth of knowledge on the subject,
C) Where developed nations are encouraged to assist developing nations in their acquisition of agricultural biotechnology by,
i) Financial assistance,
ii) Making the results of previous research available,
D) Which should file reports to the 6th Committee advising the Committee about current issues and advances in agricultural biotechnology,
E) Which should hold a conference,
i) Held no less often than once a year,
ii) Where current issues and advances in agricultural biotechnology are debated,
iii) Initially meeting at UN Headquarters in New York,
iv) Hosted thereafter in various sponsor countries on a rotating voluntary basis,
v) Where restrictions and limitations on agricultural biotechnology may be suggested for review by FAB,
vi) Intended as a means for the further dissemination of research information,
F) Which should maintain relations with the WHO, other NGOs, and IGOs,
i) to increase the impact of the FAB,
ii) to make information on the matter of agricultural biotechnology more readily and fully available,
G) Which will have the ability to expand the breadth of discussions to address emerging and new issues involving agricultural biotechnology;
2. Supports the use of genetic modification of agricultural species for the purpose of:
A) encouraging the productive and pertinent research and development of improved food sources to increase the availability of nutritious food sources for developing nations and peoples lacking adequate sources of foodstuffs,
B) expanding the body of knowledge pertaining to the methods of disease progression and to methods of preventing or combating disease,
C) for the general betterment of humanity and the world,
D) for the creation of medicinal products;
3. Encourages the proper control of the propagation of genetically modified or enhanced agriculture by states,
A) by adhering a label or warning to products derived from or possibly including GMOs of any significant measure,
B) by enacting measures to fully test and properly isolate any new GMOs before they are released into common use and dissemination,
i) to ensure the safety of the public,
ii) to ensure the maintenance of bio-diversity in ecosystems,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Relevant Definitions:
GMO- Genetically Modified Organism
WHO- World Health Organization
NGO- Non-Governmental Organizations
IGO- Intergovernmental organizations
Agricultural Biotechnology- a collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to create, improve, or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms.
OOC:
I've done RL Model UN for a while now, but have not found much time or use in the NS MUN. I am going to try to present somewhat realistic proposals for resolutions on important topics.
Unfortunately, I've remained mostly inactive on the NS UN due to the fact that the filing system makes it very difficult to have ambiguous or specialized proposals such as the above, which would have effects on economics, national policies, and civil rights that are at a level of distinction very much smaller than the NS game system can handle.
I hope that others will find the above proposal realistic and, in general, worthy of support. I have not submitted this to the proposal system since others might still have some points to add.
It should be noted that the above document is the result of a conference on cloning and biotechnology that was joined by Freebodnik IV and Western Asia, among others.