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Health Debate Topics for Students — page 3

716 debate topics, students. Debatable motions with arguments for and against. Open the arguments below, pick one at random, or present them full-screen.

StudentsDebatePage 3 of 15
  1. 101.

    Addiction is not a mental disorder

    For

    • Experiencing pleasure and or joy is not a mental illness nor is having a physical dependance. Addiction can be a psychological dependance and in that case intervention passed some sort of rehab plan will be necessary. The fact the therapy can solve (at least temporally) drug…
    • I love psychology and I don't think that addiction should be a DSM disorder.

    Against

    • I would like to apologize for not providing a argument, i was busy (yea excuses). Nonetheless, since the instigator has rebutted my arguments, I will do so also (I will keep it short): "All mental illnesses are unsolvable. No amount of therapy or drugs can solve autism,…
    • I will start my arguments from this section. The instigator can in the next section rebutte my arguments as well as provide his/her own. I will be debating that addiction is a mental disorder. See below why: 1. Addiction due to Dopamine [1] Addiction due to drug use (both…
  2. 102.

    Restaurants should be legally required to ban indoor smoking

    For

    • Lets start off with " It's none of your business what somebody wishes to put into their body." When did i mention that it was my business? I really don't care if you smoke or not, this is about that being brought into restaurants. By me saying that i don't think people should…
    • I believe that smoking is a very bad habit. I think that it is a good thing that most restaurants ban it. Second hand smoke is very unhealthy. I will look forward to a lively debate with my opponent! Thank you.

    Against

    • I accept , The Burden of Proof is on Pro to prove that it's good that restaurants ban smoking indoors, I'm simply here to counter-argue. 'I believe that smoking is a very bad habit' Of course it's a bad habit it has been scientifically proven but how does that matter at all .…
    • 'When did i mention that it was my business? I really don't care if you smoke or not, this is about that being brought into restaurants. ' By saying it's not your business I was litterily saying it is not your business therefore you shouldn't have the right to command someone…
  3. 103.

    Health care is a right that governments should provide

    For

    • Barack Obama, JD, US President, US Senator (D-IL) and presidential candidate at the time of the quotation, stated during the Oct. 7, 2008 presidential debate in Nashville, TN, moderated by Tom Brokaw of NBC News: "I think it [health care] should be a right for every American.…
    • 33 million people in the United States (10.4% of the US population) did not have health insurance in 2014 according to the US Census Bureau. [114] The United States, Greece, and Poland are the only countries of the 34 members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and…

    Against

    • In promoting the general welfare the framers of the Constitution did not intend to create positive rights. The did intend to promote the general welfare by creating an environment where people are free from interference to pursue happiness. If a positive right to provide any…
    • Pro has strung together facts and figures without a cohesive case addressing the core philosophical question posed, which is does a right exist? I had already previously conceded in most modern states universal health care provided by the state works from a practical and…
  4. 104.

    Junk food advertising should be banned

    For

    • I SEE THERE WAS A TERRIBLE MISUNDERSTANDING!! It appears that this debate is ACTUALLY about whether junk food advertising should BANNED, not band!!! Woe, was me!!--wasting a whole round on gibberish!!! Now I can clearly see that my opponent's arguments are not non-sequiturs,…
    • ARGUMENTSFirstly, Yoshi makes some interesting arguments but I assert that none of them really get down to the task at hand. Before I continue, let's lay out some solid definitions. Junk food:nounA high-calorie food that is low in nutritional value. [1]Advertising:nounThe…

    Against

    • Thankyou FREEDO for being my competitor for this debate. FREEDO has made pretty good points but I have made very convincing arguments but I have made much better arguments. Firstly banning something will obviously not work and secondly banning food advertisers would make the…
    • I will show you tha Junk food advertising should not be band Advertising on television does not cause obesity. Advertising on television does not cause health problems. Eating badly causes these problems, not advertising. Now I would like to discuss banning. My first point is…
  5. 105.

    Children should drink wine

    For

    • Ok wine is a drug and can be a danger to your nervous system and can be addictive but if you are drinking small amounts of wine with your parents on a weekly basis you will not grow an emotional attachment to it you will probably not even like it first as a kid. Because you are…
    • children should not drink wine because it gets them to think of it like anyother drink they are allowed to consume." I wasn't suggesting instead of a coke they have a Shiraz I was more suggesting the French way of the parents drinking a chardonnay while the child joins in with…

    Against

    • i giveup.....
    • If a child is introduced to wine around parents they will asume that it is acceptable away from parents therefore could get intoxicated unknowingly and encourage friends who have not experienced wine to drink it. wine is alcohol and alcohol is a drug. all drugs affect the…
  6. 106.

    Smoking should be heavily restricted, if not banned

    For

    • Smoking is huge issue in society today and I am of the position that it should be at least heavily restricted. My opponent must argue that it should stay legal. The first round is for acceptance.By heavily restricted I mean restrictions to outdoor public places such as building…
    • Clarifications and ConcessionChamp1976, if you read what I wrote so far I never suggested we should put pressure on the smokers at all. I was being ambigious. I agree with you that we should actually put more pressure on the tobacco companies (there should also be time so…

    Against

    • I am a smoker. It's supposed to be a choice. But it isn't one. Because if I had a real choice I would have never started smoking. The truth is my mother smoked while I was a fetus and when I began to experiment in my early teens I was hooked. The longest I have gone without a…
    • Perhaps my opponent would have enjoyed debating with a smoker who believes his right to smoke supercedes the rights of others to clean air. The truth is, smokers are not trying to take the rights away from other people. .. they are simply trying to protect their own right to…
  7. 107.

    Anxiety can improve human performance

    For

    • Anxiety assists in preparation, Function and relaxation which improves overall performance in any activity or task. Preparation: Test anxiety can help students confront their anxiety to avoid failure, According to the University at Buffalo Counseling Services. They can overcome…
    • Anxiety produces motivation. When something troubling occurs, People become motivated to do whatever they can to overcome the problem. Rather than always being considered a hindrance, Anxiety may actually help you feel more motivated and prepared when faced with challenges.…

    Against

    • Anxiety has a negative effect on not only athletes, But also students and young people, Particularly in when it comes to tests and exams. This "test anxiety" occurs in 33% of students and can interfere with academic performance and overall achievement. As time goes on, The age…
    • According to the www. Dictionary. Com, Anxiety is defined as "A state of apprehension and tension occurring in some forms of mental disorder" I"m sure everyone has felt worried or nervous before a test or sports game, But this does it really have a positive impact on…
  8. 108.

    The United States should adopt universal health care

    For

    • This debate has been full of miscommunication. The first and most obvious case was in the very titling of this debate; my opponent made a mistake by not saying we would be debating the probability of implementation. Then, despite this obvious error, he continued not to listen…
    • Recently my opponent's tone has become rather hostile, and it seems he refuses to read my responses. Am I concerned about what is relevant to my debate? Absolutely! And I should be. My opponent is continuously taking this debate off topic and discussing things such as…

    Against

    • I will be arguing against implementing universal health care in the United States given the current conditions. The first round will be acceptance. My opponent should be arguing that it may be a good idea to implement universal health care in the United States given current…
    • To conclude this debate I'll mostly be making closing statements. For those of you following this debate feel free to check out the comment section. My opponent and I have been debating a lot in the comment sections and it would be a pity to miss those arguments. First I'll be…
  9. 109.

    Smoking in public should be illegal

    For

    • K-The government wouldn't necessarily be telling citizens what to do and when to do it. It would simply be preventing other people from being made sick from second hand smoke. This is wrong and should be banned. (c) I think alcohol has a very different effect on people than…
    • Smoking in general is very bad for your health, but then to put someone else in the same place you are and to smoke in front of them is wrong (ec). It would be very difficult to change how things have been and to prevent any smoker from smoking in a public place, but then again…

    Against

    • Back in the 1920's the federal government attempted to ban alcohol supporting it as destructive to the individual.(ec) This only lasted a decade until it became repealed.(i) The ban had proven as ineffective and had given rise to gangsters working an underground business.(s) So…
    • Banning smoking in public places is considered nothing but social engineering and to outcast those who smoke.(ec) This is considered discrimination and as stated in the fourteenth amendment.(s) Listed as discrimination as the Equal Protection Clause.(s) Going against any…
  10. 110.

    Smoking should be permitted in public places

    For

    • Thank you for the chance to debate with you on such an interesting topic. i would like you to know, that i am against this, but for sake of arguing and bettering my skills in debating i will work my way on the con side. Good luck to you and i look forward to see your opening…

    Against

    • These are just some quick facts about second hand smoke:Second hand smoke includes: Smoke from a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe tip Smoke that has been exhaled or breathed out by the person or people smoking1 More than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and…
    • Tell why you wanted to join the debate. I feel very strongly about public safety and health and thought this would be a good practice topic for high school. Good luck and let's have a good debate.
  11. 111.

    Vegetarianism is harmful to the human body and morally wrong

    For

    • First, I must say that if you are a participant in vegetarianism, that's your choice and I support your act of free will. I will in no way make an attempt to disengage you from your practices. Anyways, on to the debate. To start off, any dietitian will tell you that meat is an…

    Against

    • Wow, what a waist of time. It seems that you not only have no evidence, you also have no argument. My humble apologies to anyone viewing this debate for it being such a waist.
    • Oh ok. Well..That's cool I guess. I'm sure your buisy and all. Just put something in round 3 allright?
  12. 112.

    Governments should act more decisively to stop AIDS

    For

    • I welcome the opportunity to debate drafterman once again and I thank him for posting such an enlightening argument - it is, indeed, an astounding revelation that poor little kiddies with leukaemia can be cured by injecting them with HIV. This is also great news for AIDS…
    • When people used to contract a contagious disease for which there is no cure, such as leprosy, they were isolated from the rest of society in order to prevent that disease from spreading. Thankfully, these days, leprosy can be easily treated (1) which is why sufferers are no…

    Against

    • Pro suggests that the appropriate course of action, vis-a-vis HIV/AIDs, is wholesale quarantine, but then just dives right into the practical matters, without actually addressing the matter of whether we should actually quarantine people with HIV/AIDs. Ignoring the irrelevant…
    • "[I]f HIV can cure cancer it duly follows that cancer can cure HIV."It duly follows? I'd be interested in seeing a more fleshed out demonstration of this. This reasoning would state that "If radiation can cure cancer, then cancer can cure radiation poisoning!"Reliability of HIV…
  13. 113.

    Governments should provide single-payer universal health care

    For

    • Competition in health care is generally a bad idea
    • Universal health care grounds doctors in professionalism, not commercialism.

    Against

    • Government-funded universal health care would violate patient privacy
    • Universal health care will cut physician cash-flow and disrupt living-standards.
  14. 114.

    Fast food is bad for public health

    For

    • Waiting for con...
    • Okay well first of all I just want to say that you copied and pasted like your whole other comment before and used it again. if your not going to actually debate me then forfeit. 1- Frozen foods that are sold at grocery stores are all natural foods and if weren't they would not…

    Against

    • I accept the challenge Waiting for pro
    • I didn't just copy my comment but continuing with this debate.. You say that most of the frozen foods that are in grocery stores are natural and cooked fresh and then just put in the fridge to be cook again after, that's true to an extent my dear because not all frozen foods…
  15. 115.

    Antibiotic use should be heavily restricted

    For

    • Good argument, but firstly, antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by doctors. Plus, the local authorities shouldn't let anybody (farmers, ranchers, etc.) use the antibiotics. That is what I mean by restricted. This is because people take the antibiotics for minor…
    • First of all, here is a personal example. A man named Mark Ledenberg, friend of mine, died from an infection in his arm. He took antibiotics about every day for about a week and a half and died because of overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics overuse is a huge problem around the…

    Against

    • Thanks to my opponent for clarifying his argument and providing the meat of his side in this debate, and now it's time to dig in! I'd like to start by pointing out that both of my arguments go dropped in this round. I'll get into why they matter over the course of my responses.…
    • Well, I'm still lost on the parameters, so I guess I'll have to set them. "Antibiotics should be heavily restricted." We don't know who is going to be doing the restricting here, and we don't know what "heavily" means in this context. I'll try to be fair about this. Health…
  16. 116.

    Cigarettes should be banned outright

    For

    • Being my arguments was not augured we have to assume my opponent agrees with my prior argument He then goes on and give more reason why cigarettes should not be banned. He talks about liberty and how the government cannot control your action this is false because suicide is…
    • Rebuttal my opponent said smokers being inconsiderate is not a relevant reason why smoking should be illegal however second hand smoke kills thousands of people yearly this is a relevant reason because innocent lives are being taken due to this highly addicting product. Second…

    Against

    • The fact that cigarettes are harmful and kill people is not something which is up for debate. It is a well know fact there is propaganda and advertising that is in fact harmful. However the fact that they harm you is no reason as to why they should be ban. Someone who commits…
    • Another reason why cigarettes should not be ban as a matter of liberty, the Government shouldn't be telling anybody what they can and can't put into their bodies, even if it is toxic/harmful. �You have to be an adult to purchase cigarettes and it is a Personal choice to…
  17. 117.

    A vegan diet is healthier than low-carb diets

    For

    • IntroductionIn his opening argument my opponent presents two arguments against veganism, both of which I will address in this rebuttal.The Health ArgumentP1) A low carbohydrate diet is more healthy than a vegan dietP2) We should do what is healthier for our body.C1) We should…
    • IntroductionHello people of DDO! In this debate I will argue in favor of veganism over low carb diets (hereafter LC). My opponent acknowledges the possibility of a vegan diet and a low carb diet to not exclude eachother. However, from his clarifications and his comment I take…

    Against

    • As per the structure of the debate, it is not my obligation this round to refute my opponent's case. I will of course address his argument in the third round. I am clarifying this so that my opponent cannot accuse me of dropping his argument. I will now formally present my own…
    • Resolved: A vegan diet is superior to low carbohydrate diets.Now I would like some clarifications:1. I know that veganism isn't mutually exclusive with low carbohydrate diets. That isn't the point, we are talking about a typical fruit(quite a lot of carbs) and vegetable filled…
  18. 118.

    People should avoid eating grains entirely

    For

    • By "human evolution" I did not mean specifically homo sapiens. I meant all of our ancestors that are directly related to us. And I never said anything about "modern" human history, I said that for the 2.8 million years of human evolution, we have only been eating grains for…
    • I don't have time to write my response before the time expires, I apologize. I should have it tomorrow.

    Against

    • "The one food you should never eat"; "three secret ways grains make you fat"; "gluten is bad for you"; "grains in vegan diets: no, they make you fat or sick." This is ridiculous. Not only is it ridiculous, but it deludes the image of healthy foods in our society, and it down…
    • A lot of that is true: humans originally had a diet of meat and fruit, along with other omnivorous primates. However, humans have evolved significantly from 2.8 million years ago--especially considering that the modern Homo sapiens only appeared a hundred thousand (100,000)…
  19. 119.

    Everyone should donate their organs after death

    For

    • I won't continue debating this, You obviously just want to win it and you don't want to be reasonable about the topic. Should doesn't mean must, maybe this will help you understand the differences better : http://english.stackexchange.com... Donating your organs means signing a…
    • I never said organ donation should be mandatory. "All you have to do is sign a form."- I argued that donation your organs is the right thing to do and everyone should do it, I never said everyone should be forced to donate their organs. Of course not all organs are health, but…

    Against

    • Pro has not clarified his resolution.Nevertheless, I still followed Pro's resolution when Pro clarified it in Round 3, so I am confused as to why Pro claims I am unreasonable. I will attempt to try again to appeal to Pro's preferences.Rebuttal: So in this round, this is what…
    • Rebuttal:"I never said organ donation should be mandatory...I argued that donation your organs is the right thing to do and everyone should do it, "-If you say "everyone should do it", then you are obviously saying it should be mandatory. Allow me to define the term…
  20. 120.

    Pharmacies should not sell harmful products

    For

    • That sentence was my response to you stating, "Walgreens is not known for cigarettes and candy." True that may be, but the problem still exists. My analogy, "America is not known for having poverty, but it still exists and needs to be stopped." Smoking is something that is…
    • #1 Just because something is not known for something opposite of what it's known for does not mean it doesn't exist. Like America and poverty. For both, you at least have to say that it is hypocritical. Because of this hypocritisy, doctors and pharmacies should not sell or use…

    Against

    • Thanks for debating with me. I don't see anything wrong misleading about advertising something but selling something different like candy and cigarettes. They are sold in every supermarket, numerous shops, and even petrol stations, and are a common product. There is no reason…
    • I find your first sentence is very confusing: "Just because something is not known for something opposite of what it's known for does not mean it doesn't exist."Poverty does exist in countries which are said to be rich, and people go to a doctor or chemist to improve their…
  21. 121.

    Public health concerns justify compulsory immunizations

    For

    • I am for having to make those shoots a "Must" because I think, that if you do not have it as a "Must" then people wont take is seriously and actually do and make those shoots. Then everyone will get sick and nobody will do anything about it really. Then the government will have…

    Against

    • I respectfully request that the terms: vaccination, immunization, innoculation, and shots / shoots be deemed synonomous. NEGATIVE CONSTRUCTIVE INTRODUCTION: I disagree with the stated resolution. The NEG/CON will demonstrate that compulsory vaccinations are not in the best…
    • Rules: If you are just going to forfeit please do not accept. I would rather lose a good game than gain a hollow victory by forfeit. Present your own definitions in Round 2. Skip round 1 by placing a single alphanumeric character. **Crossfire/observations can be built into…
  22. 122.

    Organ donation should be automatic by default

    For

    • This debate is going to evaluate the worth of a system, in which everyone is automatically considers as an organ donor unless he/she opted out first. It reverses the current system where people decide to be an organ donor into a system where they decide not to be. I'd say this…
    • Well this wasn't really exciting. Gave my best, did not even get minimal sportsmanship. Lovely.Thanks.

    Against

    • Hey , I am against the automatic organ donation system . What if individual was not made aware that his organs will be donated .The hospitals make a large profit from organ donations I believe that they would make difficult to opt out or other schemes to keep profits high…
  23. 123.

    Governments should impose a tax on unhealthy foods

    For

    • con concedes do taxing fatty foods. doctors could give special exceptions fo people who have thyroid or metabolism problems, though, per taxing them direct. there's really not much different taxing the food or taxing hte person.... both are causes of bad health care. in fact,…
    • the exact tax details is not important. it's just that we have taxes. the taxes can be on the fatty foods, or increase on the person as they get fatter. what's important is whtether we have a fat tax at all to begin with. elderly people can eat less and may be able to do…

    Against

    • I do believe that taxing fatty foods is a good idea. However I don't believe that there should be any exception to the tax, just like there is not for cigarettes. The problem with these exceptions to the tax is that once again, it seems Pro is only concerned about the physical…
    • The first problem I foresee with what you are saying is that there is not yet a clarity in what you are proposing. One idea, the tax on fatty foods, is not one that I disagree with. I believe that a tax on extremely unhealthy foods would be beneficial for people, because the…
  24. 124.

    Single-payer health care is the best system

    For

    • con cites lots of figures but does nothing to put them into perspective. con ignores when i did.... we spend eighteen percent on health care per GDP and other single payer countires spend ten percent. insurance spends thirty percent of income on profit and administration, while…
    • single payer health care is optimal health care system i am borrowing this debate from else where. please use this link to find working links in this debate http://www.debate.org... The right single payer system would cover everyone, while yielding better results, and saving…

    Against

    • I've outlined my opponents points in bold below and address them accordingly.con cites lots of figures but does nothing to put them into perspective.Please let me know which figures you would need perspective on. After reviewing, all of my numbers are not only accurate, but…
    • At first glance, many Americans might find the idea of single-payer health insurance appealing, given current economic conditions and high health insurance costs. However, before we accept such a drastic shift in national health policy, we should examine how single-payer health…
  25. 125.

    Government should limit calories sold at fast food restaurants

    For

    • ...Giggity
    • ...Are you a fat f*cker who is protesting that you dont get to eat deep fried chicken?

    Against

    • I'm actually not a fat f*cker. I happen to be skinny for your information. I'm just sayin that not everybody has time to sit at home and eat a good healthy meal that could take up to 15 minutes to eat when eating at McDonalds could take about 5 minutes and then your out.…
    • The US will limit the quanity of calories that fast food restaurants can encompass in their meal options to fit within the average recommended nutrition plan. It may be that the amount of calories fast food restaurants have in their food is not healthy for us. And I do admit…
  26. 126.

    Healthcare should be a legal right

    For

    • Con has not addressed the fact that people own their bodies. Con is not even reading my posts. Fact: Healthcare is a right because people own their bodies. Con has ignored several of my points.
    • Yes it does show why healthcare is a right. Healthcare is a right because people own their bodies. My body, my right to choose. If I don't want to besick or injured, I don't have to.

    Against

    • Pro has only made one point, so it baffles me why he thinks I "ignored several of his points." His only contention is that people own their own bodies and therefore if they are injured etc. should get healthcare. He didn't address the cost of such a treatment, the tax, the…
    • Extend all arguments... Pro seems to be more interested in stating his one contention than respond to mine. His only argument is that people own their bodies so they should be entitled to healthcare. This just does not make sense. If Healthcare is a right, then who is going to…
  27. 127.

    Calisthenics is superior to machines and free weights

    For

    • Hi Nycolle. Thanks for aruguing with me. We'll start the rebuttals."Using machines to help exercise targets many different exercise groups. They also emphasis proper care of not only the equipment, but the body as well." Isolating each of your muscle groups is the worst thing…
    • Bodyweight calisthenics is something which has been with us since ancient times, even before barbells, free weights and machines were invented. Calisthenics is basically the art of using one's own body for physical development, be it strength, power or endurance. One of the…

    Against

    • Using machines to help exercise targets many different exercise groups. They also emphasis proper care of not only the equipment, but the body as well. They help to alert you to your stopping point. Using gym equipment also provides support to people. Those who join a gym are…
    • Hello and good luck on your first debate. I would like to accept your challenge. And for the memo, I am a relatively new member too. Let us begin.
  28. 128.

    Performance-enhancing supplements are harmful for teenage athletes

    For

    • Well done Con, I will respect your format by doing the same this next round. Unfortunately it appears that you took small pieces of my arguments without addressing several of the claims in regards of necessity of supplements/harm. So because I love details, let's dive right in…
    • I will once again state that I am not against the use of performance enhancing supplements but there is a big however. There are many factors as to why the listed supplements can be more harmful than beneficial to the individual also not necessary seeing how at that age the…

    Against

    • Since I am Con, I will start by rebutting my opponent. I'll take various quotes from his argument, and prove they are not true in all cases. Then, I will further precede by verbalizing my own opinions. "Supplements that promise not only faster results but better results…
    • I personally do not condone the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs and/or Supplements whether they are illegal or not. But, I believe that in small quantities they are not harmful to teenagers. I look forward to further informing you on this topic.
  29. 129.

    Homeopathic remedies are ineffective

    For

    • Thank you Con for your response.Con's argument is not really an argument, it consists exclusively of sourced material bizarrely asserting the lack of side effects in homeopathic remedies, a fact which only reinforces my claims about their lack of any active ingredient and is…
    • Dilution My first point is that the dilution of homeopathic remedies are well beyond any rational standard and make them ineffective. "homeopathic remdies get more effective as they get more diluted. " (1) This is one of the foundational principles of homeopathy and the reason…

    Against

    • Conventional medical drugs can be described simply as chemicals which interact directly with the body's biochemistry; as homeopathic medicines are too dilute to contain molecules of the original substances they are made from, we know that they don't work in this biochemical way…
    • Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body���‚��„�s natural system of healing. Based on their specific symptoms, a homeopath will match…
  30. 130.

    Consumers should know the health effects of GMO foods

    For

    • My main concern is that people should know whether they are eating foods with GMO's or not. They don't put "GMO" labels on everything, and how do you know whether it's GMO-free when they are not all ways labeled? Foods that contain GMO's might feed more people, but they might…
    • People should know about gmo's because they are really unhealthy. food places should say oh we have gmo's in are food and we don't because we are gmo free because we care about the human race. If you don't understand the problem with gmo's well it's because they aren't truly…

    Against

    • GMOs are not some terror from a science lab.
    • I will make this debate much less formal, and just discuss the issue with you. I don't necessary disagree that I personalty would like to see labeling of GMO products. The problems with that are perception. A good number of people are running on fear with little real solid…
  31. 131.

    Insurance should fully cover genetic disorder treatment

    For

    • Medical Insurance is an important part of a healthy life, even for the people with genetic disorders. "Health care is a basic human need. You can live without individual commodities, but a lot of people can't live without health care in everyday lives, and no one can live…
    • Although it is possible to determine if the child will have a genetic disorder, not all disorders are created at birth. Some genetic disorders can be determined by outside factors. Also, it is not possible to look into the future. If a family decides to have a baby knowing that…

    Against

    • Any family should be able to support a child with a genetically disorder if there is a greater than average risk. Medical coverage should not be provided because of all of the risk involved with treating and taking care of the child (genetics in primary care). The insurance…
    • There are many reasons as to why people with genetic disorders want medical coverage, mainly because the cost of supporting them is way to expensive for them or their family members to support them. The risk of having a child with a genetic disorder can be observed by looking…
  32. 132.

    Kids should be allowed to drink alcohol

    For

    • Children and young people are advised not to drink alcohol before the age of 18 because it kills brain cells. But what if kids could just take a test like how high of a proof can you drink?, How much? then you would know they were responsible and if they just drink to much then…
    • I say anyone should be able to drink if they want.

    Against

    • I would agree with some of the recommendations pro has made in R2, but only to a certain extent. Rather than administering tests to fully formed human children, we should study the affects of alcohol on mental development by forcing soon to be mothers to consume alcohol in…
    • Opening Argument:The current global population is simply unsustainable. Each year, humanity consumes the Earth's resources at a greater pace than the Earth can replenish them. According to Paul Ehrlich, Bing professor of population studies at Stanford University in California,…
  33. 133.

    Aspartame should be removed from chewing gum and replaced with sugar

    For

    • Yer horrible! You suck at this, aspartame sucks!
    • Good mourning/Afternoon I believe that gum should have sugar added to it instead of aspartame. Firstly, what really is aspartame? Aspartame is a no-calorie sweetener, that in scientific experiments has shown high risks of the developing of brain tumors in large or daily…

    Against

    • Oh my no grammar. I win this.
    • yea yea yea lets cut to the chase. its way healthier then sugar. don't get me wrong I like sugar but reading your argument made me say like WHET
  34. 134.

    The concept of herd immunity is fraudulent

    For

    • 1. Germ theory is a sub-set of herd immunity. Thus, they are both tied together intrinically and one can't exist without the other. Germ theory relies on herd immunity for it to be a valid theory and herd immunity relies on germ theory to make it a valid theory. My opponent…
    • 1. No offence, but Wikipedia is as good a source of information as any other source. Note - The source of any information is irrelevant. Its whether the information from that source is correct or not that matters. Thus, if the government issues reports which are full of…

    Against

    • Let's begin this round by saying that pandemics are not cuased by volcanoes, pandemics are simply infectious disease spread through human populartions over a large region, so i'm not sure where the volcanoes argument falls into relevancy here.Since you want me to address the…
    • I will again say, no offense, but I don't consider Wikipedia pages primary or reliable sources. We are not debating germ theory and we are not debating the effectiveness of vaccines, we are determining the effectiveness of herd immunity. I happened to have read your debate on…
  35. 135.

    The USA should establish a single-payer healthcare system

    For

    • Overutilization and Smart Cards Your source specifically said in the first paragraph that when co-pays were high, "appropriate or needed" medical care as well as "inappropriate or unnecessary" medical care were reduced." A Smart Card, when used such as in Taiwan, hugely…
    • Thanks Con for your swift response. --------------Rebuttals----------------C1: Concerns about OverutilizationYour study showed the conclusion that when co-pays were reduced: "appropriate or needed" medical care as well as "inappropriate or unnecessary" medical care were…

    Against

    • Thanks for the debate Contra. == Smart Cards == Face it, these are just not going to happen in the US, for the same reason a national ID card didn't happen: the ACLU and other privacy groups completely oppose a government database that can track us. Groups have expressed…
    • Thanks Contra. == Rebuttal == 1) Overutilization My opponent misconstrues the RAND study. When co-pays are reduced, people seek more "inappropriate or unnecessary medical services." The Dartmouth study found that when health care is free, if you double the number of doctors,…
  36. 136.

    Dissociative identity disorder is a real condition

    For

    • We are discussing whether or not the mental illness Dissociative Identity Disorder ever occurs, in other words is real. Not the validity of using different diagnostic terms. A diagnosis serves far more than a Financial purpose, as it also determines proper treatment and gives…
    • You will argue as to why you think it is fake. Get right into your argument.

    Against

    • I"m sorry, your now makinlg the Atheists arguement. Uh-Uh, ignoring all semblance of evidence for your own personal belief or agenda, which does not extend to research and study! Going off opinions and conjectures. Nobody can reason with the unreasonable, if you will not accept…
    • The validity of your debate is flawed! 1. It has no bearing upon reality. Ie Mental Illness diagnosis2. It serves only a Financial interest.3. It therefore is a pointless subject for the purpose of debate, under Health more suited to Finance section.You argue a Financial label,…
  37. 137.

    Tobacco use should be banned in the United States

    For

    • Ban
    • Yep

    Against

    • I challenge that idea of the environment heading. Tobacco for Gardening: Aphid Control if mixed with Tobacco it can make a really good soil to use. Peach Tree Borer can be protected from being infected by sprinkling tobacco around. Leaf Eaters using Tobacco dust into a spraying…
    • Tobacco shouldn't be banned since first it never leads to abusive traits when using it and doesn't leads to murders. Tobacco also can help people who gotten a heart attack to help prevent another one, lower the risk of developing Parkinson Disease. So I believe tobacco…
  38. 138.

    Travel bans are a poor response to Ebola outbreaks

    For

    • Appreciate the thoughtful response. While I agree that it is easier to manage a disease like Ebola if it remains geographically contained, it is not necessarily the case that a travel ban will accomplish that purpose. As you point out, a travel ban by itself does nothing but…
    • Threats from infection are endemic to all societies. The advent of modern transportation systems has increased the risk of spreading disease. Nevertheless, travel is an essential part of every country's economic well-being. Shutting down travel in response to the Ebola outbreak…

    Against

    • Like I said in my first argument, a travel ban isn't going to solve Ebola, but it certainly won't hurt. What I got from your argument was that you think we should do more than that. No one disagrees with you. However, keeping it contained will give people more time to come up…
    • Forgive me for taking so long to post an argument, I could not find the time to get back online.I would like to begin by thanking you for sharing such an educated opinion, and I hope mine will amount to the same standard.My response to your argumentEbola is a disease that is…
  39. 139.

    Universal access to chemotherapy should be guaranteed

    For

    • People don't want vaccines. That's not stopping compulsory vaccines. The government would fund this. Think of all the lives that could be saved.
    • Everyone knows chemotherapy helps with cancer. Why not use chemotherapy as a preventive measure. Sort of like a vaccine. Why wait for cancer, everyone should get chemotherapy at least once a year.

    Against

    • dont force people who dont need this to take this especially against their own will. Vote neg
    • My thoughts are that some people don't want it. It shouldn't be forced upon it. The bill of rights refer to the pursuit of happiness. You are breaking a law by administering something forcefully. Plus there are the questions that I posed that could cause a problem.
  40. 140.

    The US government should make long-term birth control affordable for low-income women

    For

    • Final push...thank god.
    • Push

    Against

    • It is not the role of government to coerce it's citizens to fund what boils down to an obstruction of free market exchange between two consenting individuals. You have two major issues with you're position. First, if we Americans are truly free, the person who produced birth…
  41. 141.

    Smoking should be banned in all public places including outdoors

    For

    • your only focusing on the electric cigarette now i for one have never heard of this type of cigarette lets focus on the big picture on the non healthy ones. The non healthy ones. "Cigarette smoking kills over 400,000 people a year Smoking is one of the largest problems in the…
    • isn't this debate about smoking in public places?!!! I mean your second argument is on topic but your first isn't!!. I'm talking about banning smoking in public places. How would you like to be a victim of second hand smoke voters? second hand smoke is like being trapped in a…

    Against

    • In order to ban cigarettes completely my opponent needs to explain why we should get rid of all types of cigarettes. Since I've proven at least one type of cigarette that wont bother others or induce a lot of health concerns, Then we should not ban all cigarettes. My opponent…
    • If something is banned then obviously it will cause a effect on things. If we ban smoking completely, then we will loose 19 billion dollars a year.....http://www.nytimes.com...If we ban smoking completely then our government might not be able to fund welfare, and or some other…
  42. 142.

    People should eat fish regularly for omega-3 health benefits

    For

    • Well I never would have thought grass-fed beef would have any omega-3s let alone DHA and EPA. Let's fact check. "Moreover, the omega-3s in grass-fed beef are predominantly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), not the types found in fish (EPA and DHA). ALA may have some health benefits…
    • People are often concerned with the mercury in fish. Yet, trace elements are necessary for health. Microscopic amounts of mercury may even have health benefits. "Since trace elements provide nutritional value, they are sometimes referred to as micronutrients. It may come as a…

    Against

    • Yes, I will agree grass fed beef does have mostly ALA, but it does contain both DHA and EPA. "Most of the omega-3 content of grass-fed beef comes in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. However, grass-fed beef also typically contains small-to-moderate amounts of other…
    • Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids. The human body is not able to create them, and therefore they must be provided via diet. We both agree that DHA and EPA are essential for human body function and general health. "Hundreds of studies suggest that omega-3s may…
  43. 143.

    People should not smoke cigarettes

    For

    • not all smokers can be properly evaluated by the implicit longevity framework I concede, but as argument sake goes, the universality of smokers was my target and I hold all smokers to the same standard. The categorical imperative is simply one standard smokers could be held to…
    • It's true that not all people may regard the risks as smoking as vital to their understanding, or even care about the risks. But because those risks are present, it's imperative that one not take a risk that knowingly is purposely fatal to their health. When debating topics…

    Against

    • My fundamental contention over the course of this debate has been that all normative statements are inherently predicated on some kind of meta-level framework. Employing the normative contingency thesis, the conclusion we are thereby able to draw is that anyone who does not…
    • 1. Pro's reply to the contingency problem produces what I regard as a fatal antinomy between two claims: on the one hand, Pro must always maintain that there exists a universal, absolute moral obligation to refrain from smoking; otherwise, Pro must concede that the proposition…
  44. 144.

    Smoking should be made illegal

    For

    • I apologize for missing the last round as well. Con raises the question "Should we criminalize eating steak because doing so is dangerous and potentially fatal by contributing to heart disease?" This "analogy" says that eating steak causes heart disease, but eating steak is…
    • I have clearly stated that the government has the right to criminalize cigarettes. They have done it in the past with other substances and still uphold laws with substances today. And the argument at hand is about criminalizing cigarettes, not anything else, therefore the fact…

    Against

    • It seems my opponent and I have both exhibited poor conduct in accidentally missing a round (at least it was an accident in my case), so without further adieu I'll jump right back in to it... Pro writes, "I have clearly stated that the government has the right to criminalize…
    • Pro begins, "I'll respond by saying that con's first argument is false. The government may not have the right to tell people what to do with their own body, but they do have the power to make the sale and usage of cigarettes illegal." In the last round, I never denied that the…
  45. 145.

    DDT is an effective way to combat malaria in sub-Saharan Africa

    For

    • To start I will say that I am debating whether or not DDT is an effective way to combat malaria. Not whether or not the United States should be giving foreign aid. First I will show you the harm that malaria causes to Sub-Saharan Africa. 1. Malaria is one of the world's most…
    • First of all, don't go attacking my sources when you have just about zero yourself. In fact you say "Also, as a warning, I'm not quoting anything in this. It's faster for me." Also, I made a mistake by not referencing my sources, so I will list them and there qualifications. My…

    Against

    • "First of all, don't go attacking my sources when you have just about zero yourself. In fact you say "Also, as a warning, I'm not quoting anything in this. It's faster for me." " That was said for the first opening. That only pertained to the first argument, not the second nor…
    • I'm basically going to put your points in quotes, and then put my points in after yours. "First, you are saying the United States sets the standard for what is good and bad. Well, using your standard I guess DDT is good since it actually IS being sprayed by the United States.…
  46. 146.

    Modern medicine should be replaced by homeopathy

    For

    • Of course you are the choice as my opponent because of that debate but my thought is older. I know the burden of proof of dangerous of modern medicine is mine and that I've done in my previous post, very interestingly you says "... does not match this burden ." Without any…
    • There are a lot of reason to start this debate. As we are observing every year a lot of people dies due to treatment here is the research - "Death by Medicine" - Conducted by Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, Martin Feldman, MD, Gary Null, PhD, Debora Rasio, MD (2003/4) they says- - "...an…

    Against

    • === My opponent's burden of proof === The reason that I didn't go into much depth in my previous round was that I presumed it obvious that the burden as presented (and accepted by my opponent) didn't match with the arguments that he provided. Apparently, that clarity was not…
    • I extend my previous round, and hope my opponent will post something other than a forfeit in his next round. For reasons why I believe homeopathy to be dangerous when used on its own, to the exclusion of modern medicine, feel free to read my previous debate on homeopathy:…
  47. 147.

    Eating meat increases the risk of cancer

    For

    • My opponent forfeited round 3, and I assume he'll also forfeit round 4. Vote Pro, I guess. :/
    • I thank Con for his argument. I will delve into my Rebuttal, and analyze Con's argument. Rebuttal: Con's beginning; "can we cite actual sources? " Of course. After all, I didn't find only one site on the subject. [. http://www.pcrm.org... :: Along with colorectal cancer, meat…

    Against

    • Just before I get into the 'meat' of the argument (pardon the pun), can we cite actual sources? Linking to articles is just silly, there were several scientific studies referenced in the article that you attached in your argument. Let's be honest, if we actually want to have a…
    • I accept, and will argue against the notion that eating meat will increase the risk of cancer.
  48. 148.

    Self-harm is a serious problem, not merely attention-seeking

    For

    • I am going to make an argument on this touchy statement. Mainly because I feel it needs to be addressed or at least talked about. I see a lot of kids being called crazy these days for self harm. (Burning, cutting,scrapes, ect) but these things don't make them crazy. It just…

    Against

    • PRO has forfeited again. None of my arguments were taken into account. PRO presented no arguments. PRO had Burden of Proof and did not fulfill it.
    • My opponenet has chosen to forfeit his round.I will begin my arguments. Cutting is an expression of Pain/Depression/Greif/AngerI will concede that, to some degree, cutting is used as a means to experience something different. I have talked with people who do it, have done it…
  49. 149.

    Cigarettes should be banned worldwide

    For

    • there shall not be no more cigarettes in the united states anymore

    Against

    • ff
    • ff
  50. 150.

    Telemedicine should be expanded in rural Zambia

    For

    • Speeding up referral
    • The network approach: promoting learning

    Against

    • A dangerous reliance on technology?
    • How sustainable?

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