2019年8月24日社会类(特殊类/三选一)

　　Research into new types of medicine and treatments are essential to improving health and to deal with diseases. Who do you think should fund these researches: private companies, individuals or governments?

　　It is true that in order to improve the physical health of the general population, there must be research into drugs and treatments. But who should bankroll new medical developments? In my opinion, I judge that the onus should be on private drug companies and governments and not on the individual.

　　Those against government funding argue that governments have more important concerns. For example, state budgets need to be spent on services like education, infrastructure and national security. These public services are essential for a country to function properly, because without them the country would fall apart. In contrast, new types of drugs and treatments are essentially a luxury. Private companies are also seen as a poor option because most simply do not have enough funds for large-scale medical research. Also, in order to recuperate their massive research costs, private drug companies tend to raise the prices of their new drugs, which end up beyond the means of most consumers.

　　Nevertheless, I believe private companies and governments should bear the brunt of this funding. If this massive investment is passed onto the consumer it would be impossible for many people to be able to afford basic necessities for living, including the very drugs and treatments their money would fund.