Scientific Debate

As scholarly, unreachable, or even impractical science may seem to us, it has a significant impact on our society. Science and technology proved to be beneficial to human civilization, yet also destructive to human nature’s most ancient roots. Next semester, we call for attention to two of the most controversial issues in the fields of science and hope MDID students can address different perspectives towards them.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), or test-tube conception, refers to the “medical procedure in which mature egg cells are removed from a woman, fertilized with male sperm outside the body, and inserted into the uterus of the same or another woman for normal gestation.” Infertility is typically caused by the blockage of female fallopian tubes or the low count of male sperm cells. By externally inseminating the female egg and then implanting the developed embryo into the uterus, IVF is considered one of the most advanced treatments for infertility.

Today, IVF and relevant fertility treatments have gifted society with more than 8 million babies. However, religious parties criticized IVF for ethical controversies, such as the “murder” of fetuses that were not used for implantation, as well as the deprivation of the sanctified connection between procreation and marriage. Other concerns include risks of premature birth and infant health complications, as well as responsibilities to the future child when the infertile couple decides to involve a donor for sperms/eggs or a surrogate mother to carry the child.

Debaters shall evaluate IVF from the perspective of different parties, and consider whether it is ethical in the modern context of low fertility rates.

Universal Basic Income (UBI) refers to a certain amount of money granted to everyone periodically and unconditionally by the government. The goals of UBI is to alleviate poverty and address the increasing poverty gap in the modern world. Whether countries should support and implement UBI has been long in debate, and there have been some experiments but no long-term implementation of UBI in any countries.

While UBI cannot reduce the wealth gap, because everyone gets the same amount of money, the marginal utility theory concludes that it would benefit the poorest quintile, and support those in poverty with a tolerable living condition. Despite its benefits, UBI poses many problems, especially on its vast expenses. Who is going to pay for it, and is it even efficient?

In this debate, participants will be determining whether UBI would be an effective method towards eliminating poverty around the world, and whether governments should include UBI as a social welfare program.