Resolved: Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization.

debate format: AC, NC, AR, NR, 2AR. INTRO: "The only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant." Because I agree with John Stuart Mills in believing that a government must secure the secure the safety of a majority of its citizens before an individuals, I affirm the following resolution. RESOLVED: PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS JUSTIFY COMPULSORY IMMUNIZATION RESOLUTIONAL ANALYSIS: Definition of COMPULSORY: Compelled; mandated by legal process or by statute. www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jury/glossary.htm Through this definition we still allow for society to keep it's free will and allow for exemption. Simply what will happen is the government will mandate the vaccination program to ensure that those who wish to be vaccinated receive the vaccination while those opposed and provide reasonable grounds to be exempt, can be. VALUE: My value for today's round will be that of societal welfare. Simply defined as the well being of a society in matters of health, safety, order, and economics . In May, 2008, Ambassador Dore Gold stated, "The Western world has developed an evolved understanding between citizens and the state. This, in turn, has allowed an evolution to take place in our understanding of the state's duty to protect citizens, with this now regarded as an integral part of the Western way of life. However, many countries have failed to develop a duty to protect. This means that when natural or man made disasters occur many citizens die unnecessarily." Because diseases can have serious symptoms that can result in the incapacitation or even death of a citizen, and can be easily spread, the government has a duty to vaccinize it's citizens for society's welfare. CRITERION: My criterion for today's round will be that of utilitarianism. Defined as doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Andrez Melansek, in 2004, states "Compulsory vaccination has eradicated or greatly reduced the impact of some of the world's most devastating diseases, such as small pox, polio, measles, etc. The numbers of people with the diseases decreased dramatically after the vaccine was introduced. With better vaccines, and more comprehensive and effective vaccination programmes, even more suffering and deaths could be prevented. Even if they do not trust their particular governments, people should believe the overwhelming weight of medical opinion and the backing of the World Health Organisation in favour of vaccination." Because these vaccines are doing so much good by either reducing the number of people with the disease or getting rid of it completely, we are achieving utilitarianism by protecting society and achieving societal welfare. C1: COMPULSORY IMMUNIZATION UPHOLDS SOCIETAL WELFARE The World Health Organization in 2009 states "Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and even eradicating infectious diseases. An immunization campaign carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) from 1967 to 1977 resulted in the eradication of smallpox. When the programme began, the disease still threatened 60% of the world's population and killed every fourth victim. Eradication of poliomyelitis is now within reach. Since the launch by WHO and its partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, infections have fallen by 99%, and some five million people have escaped paralysis. Between 2000 and 2007, measles deaths dropped worldwide by over 74%, and some regions have set a target of eliminating the disease. Maternal and neonatal tetanus has been eliminated in 12 of the 58 high-risk countries." Because these vaccinations protect and maintain the well-being of the health of society, compulsory immunization would uphold societal welfare. C2: COMPULSORY IMMUNIZATION IS THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER David Satcher, M.D., in 1999 states, "Vaccines are among the 20th century's most successful and cost-effective public health tools for preventing disease, disability, and death. Not only do they prevent a vaccinated individual from developing a potentially serious disease, vaccines routinely recommended for children also help protect the entire community by reducing the spread of infectious agents. Childhood immunization has been one of the earliest priorities of this Administration. Under the Childhood Immunization Initiative, a wide range of efforts, such as outreach campaigns, disease monitoring and vaccine research, have been enhanced. Overall, immunization coverage among children in the United States is higher today than ever before. These high immunization coverage levels translate into record, or near record, low levels of vaccine-preventable diseases. For most of the vaccine-preventable diseases, there has been a 95 percent or more reduction in cases. This has occurred because States, Territories, and local governments have instituted effective immunization programs. Today there are far fewer visible reminders of the suffering, injuries, and premature deaths caused by diseases that can now be prevented with vaccines. So that we do not forget the past, allow me to share some examples:" Vaccines are protecting those who receive them, which helps to achieve utilitarianism C3: UTILITARIANISM ACHIEVES SOCIETAL WELFARE In 1905 there was a supreme court case on the issue of whether or not compulsory immunization was justified. Edward P. Richards gives a summary. "Mr. Jacobson believed that the scientific basis for vaccination was unsound and that he would suffer if he was vaccinated. The Massachusetts Supreme Court found the statute consistent with the Massachusetts state constitution, and Jacobson appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court examined the issue of whether involuntary vaccination violated Jacobson's "'inherent right of every freeman to care for his own body and health in such way as seems to him best . . . " The Court bifurcated this question, first considering the right of the state to invade Jacobson's person by forcing him to submit to vaccination: This court has more than once recognized it as a fundamental principle that "persons and property are subjected to all kinds of restraints and burdens, in order to secure the general comfort, health, and prosperity of the State; of the perfect right of the legislature to do which no question ever was, or upon acknowledged general principles ever can be made, so far as natural persons are concerned."' (at 26) With this language, the Court stated the basic bargain of civilization: an individual must give up some personal freedom in exchange for the benefits of being in a civilized society." The supreme court believes that achieving utilitarianism to maintain societal welfare is one of the governments top priorities, even if it means that some rights must be sacrificed.