The Vaccination Controversy
Vaccination is certainly one of medicine’s most impressive triumphs. Smallpox has been wiped out, polio has virtually been relegated to the history books and childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella have been brought under control. Yet, there is a booming anti-vaccine movement championed by the likes of “Dr.” Jenny McCarthy and “Dr.” Jim Carrey. This sort of unscientific activism presents real risks and needs to be addressed by the scientific establishment.
Dr. Joe Schwarcz
Dr. Joe Schwarcz, PhD, is Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society which is dedicated to demystifying science for the public, the media and students. Dr Schwarcz also teaches a variety of courses with emphasis on health issues and on the application of chemistry to everyday life. He is well known for his informative and entertaining public lectures on topics ranging from the chemistry of love to the science of aging. Using stage magic to make scientific points is one of his specialties. Professor Schwarcz has received numerous awards for teaching chemistry and for interpreting science for the public, including the prestigious Grady-Stack Award, which has been previously granted to such famous writers as Isaac Asimov. Dr. Schwarcz is the only non-American ever to be honored with this prize. “Dr. Joe” has appeared hundreds of times on the Canadian Discovery Channel, TV Ontario, Global Television, CBC-TV, CTV-TV and various radio stations, in addition to hosting his own show on Montreal’s CJAD and Toronto’s CFRB. Dr. Schwarcz also writes for numerous journals and papers. He has written many books, and many have become best-sellers.
Patent monopolies: a problem during a pandemic?
Intellectual property refers to legal monopolies granted for creation by innovator. Owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets such as medicine in the case of patents. In order to understand the influence of patents during a pandemic, one needs to comprehend the bargain signed between a state (National government) and an inventor in order to better evaluate the pros and cons of such legal system. Grant of patent is a “bargain” of the disclosure of the invention in exchange for a time-limited monopoly. Patents provide incentives for economically efficient research and development (R&D). Patents facilitate disclosure of innovations into the public domain and ensure that innovative companies gain back the cost associated for the discovery of the patented invention and reinvest such gains in R&D programs. However, the patent system might also prevent generic alternatives to enter the market until patents expire, and maintains high prices for medication, which can cause problem during a pandemic when stockpiling become a National priority. The exclusivityy of a supplier can create delays and exclude markets depending on the manufacturing strategies. Some mechanisms have been created by National governments to circumvent to those potential problems. The present presentation has the objective to shed some light on this various topics so that one can then comprehend the contradictive nature of the patent system, particularly during a pandemic situation.
Dr. Demian Barbas
Dr. Demian Barbas has particular expertise in biotechnology. In his undergraduate program, he studied various research methods in biochemistry, and molecular and cellular biology. His doctoral studies focused on biochemistry, molecular biology and electrophysiology. Dr. Barbas’s doctoral thesis, under the joint direction of the Physiology and Biochemistry Departments, examined the molecular and functional characterization of dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors involved in learning and memory. Dr. Barbas received scholarships from the NSERC, FCAR-FRSQ and the Faculty of Graduate Studies of Université de Montréal during his master’s and doctoral studies. He also received awards for his doctoral research work. His research findings have been published in numerous scientific journals and he has presented papers at a number of national and international conferences.
Be it resolved that… This House would criminalize HIV nondisclosure…
Championship speakers from McGill’s Debating Union will be debate the resolution “This House would criminalize HIV nondisclosure”. After the debate, audience members will be encouraged to engage in a discussion about the merits of each argument as well as put forth their own. The debate is anticipated to be engaging and entertaining, as well as an excellent introduction to the argumentation skills needed during MonWHO.
McGill Debating Union
The Debating Union is one of McGill’s oldest-established student organizations, founded in 1927. Several prominent public figures have hailed from McGill’s Debating Union, including John Peter Humphreys, who later went on to write the first draft of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Leonard Cohen, who served as the Debating Union’s President in 1953. Today’s debaters have been Champions at both North American and world tournaments. On campus the Union brings together speakers from different viewpoints to address issues relevant to the student body. Moderating a discussion or participating in it, the Union promotes an environment where individuals can feel comfortable expressing their own opinions.
