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is the experience in the laboratories and the exposure to advanced tech niques that are priceless. (5) With that in mind we must realize that as the health care professionals of tomorrow we are important play a large role in the big picture of bio logic weapons development. The ICRC has done a lot to protect humanity for over 100 years. They will continue in this mission with their forward thinking programs. However, as future physicians we are in a unique position to help make the world a bit safer by sim ply thinking ahead. 1. Gorka, S., Sulivan, R. Biologic toxinsa bioweapon threat in the 21st century. Jane’s Intelligence Review. June 2002. Vol. 14(6); 30-34. 2. Programme from: Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity; an informal meeting of governments and independent experts. Montreux, Switzerland. 23-24 September 2002. Organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross 3. Borrie, J. Biotchnology, Weapons and Humanity. International Humanitarian Law. July 2003; 5-6. 4. Kellenberger, J. An Appeal to Governments and Scientists (editorial). International Herald Tribune. Sep 27, 2002. 5. Choffnes, E. Bioweapons, new labs, more terror? Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Sep/Oct 2002; 28-32. Alex Guerrero Oregon Health and Sciences University (USA) email: guerrero@ohsu.edu
health care centre with problems Joel Kammeyer (USA) Former IFMSA derived from a situation of vio President (2001-2002) email: lence, and we need to learn about it joel@ifmsa-usa.org to be able to help them in an effec Continued from page 15 tive way." Though several students express a concern of the burgeon In the meanwhile, those that have ing nature of medical curricula not signed on to the campaign may "…there is already too much to be continue to feel uneasiness. But taught in medical school," laments there is hope that channels for dia one - most feel that the prevalence logue could open. “I do not think of preventable injuries and violence that all NGOs are comfortable call necessitates that these issues must ing for security expansion, but attain increased priority within ACBAR hopes to establish guide medical school curricula. lines and recommendations for such actions,” explains Mrs. This joint WHO-IFMSA survey is Stapleton. one of several examples of medical student activism on violence pre Even if they differ on strategy, all vention in the past three years. This agencies agree that enhanced sta edition of Medical Student bility, reconstruction and security International describes medical stu are desperately needed. dent-driven efforts at violence pre vention throughout the world. Raj Panjabi Student-led conferences have been University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill conducted in Denmark, Estonia, (USA) and Serbia-Montenegro on issues President, IFMSA-USA 2003-2004 related to violence prevention. At president@ifmsa-usa.org the 2002 World Health Assembly, IFMSA issued a statement in sup port of the many initiatives of the WHO Department of Injury and Violence Prevention. And locally, many medical students throughout the world have begun to ask their professors to address the deficiency of these topics within medical school curricula.
We would all do well to encourage our medical schools to do the same. Each of us may well encounter a Continued from page 13 patient like Sandra in our medical Third, many students would wel practice, and we must know how to come increased emphasis in these advocate adequately for her well issues in the medical curriculum. A being - and when possible, we must Spanish student noted, "Doctors are how know to intervene in a way confronted with situations where that might prevent her injury from they must counsel people that occurring. comes to the hospital and primary 28
The long term effects of war on children should make us stop and consider how we can avoid these atrocities
Medical Student International Magazine, Spring 2004