4 ms·

By that logic, we should never have eradicated smallpox. Medicine extends lifespan - and a rising tide lifts all boats.

• eli_gottlieb 13y ago
  By that logic, we should never have eradicated smallpox. We eradicated smallpox for everyone, without distinction between rulers and ruled. That's the difference! a rising tide lifts all boats. "A witty saying proves nothing." -- Voltaire
  • enraged_camel 13y ago
    >>We eradicated smallpox for everyone, without distinction between rulers and ruled. That's the difference! You may want to familiarize yourself with the history of smallpox eradication before continuing this debate. The vaccination was available mostly in wealthy countries first. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox#Eradication http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox#Eradication "...coordinated efforts against smallpox went on, and the disease continued to diminish in the wealthy countries. By 1897, smallpox had largely been eliminated from the United States.[66] In Northern Europe a number of countries had eliminated smallpox by 1900, and by 1914, the incidence in most industrialized countries had decreased to comparatively low levels..."
  • henryaj 13y ago
    >We eradicated smallpox for everyone, without distinction between rulers and ruled. Notwithstanding the daughter comment that disproves this, try substituting 'smallpox' for 'cancer'. Cancer treatment is by no means available to everyone, or even the majority, yet it extends lifespans (of good people and dictators alike). Should we not have developed treatments for cancer?