Reinventing Guantanamo: From Detainee Facility to Center for Research on Neglected Diseases of Poverty in the Americas
2008
Reinventing Guantanamo for Health Research
Editorial
Author Information
Author(s): Peter J. Hotez
Primary Institution: George Washington University Medical Center and Sabin Vaccine Institute
Hypothesis
Can converting the Guantanamo Bay detainee facility into a biomedical research institute help combat diseases of poverty in the Americas?
Conclusion
Transforming Guantanamo into a center for research on neglected diseases could improve health outcomes in impoverished regions of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Supporting Evidence
- The US has a history of effective vaccine diplomacy that could be applied to combat diseases of poverty.
- Many children in Latin America suffer from diseases that could be addressed through biomedical research.
- The rates of malnutrition and disease in some Latin American countries are comparable to those in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Transforming Gitmo could help the US improve its reputation in the region.
Takeaway
The US could turn a controversial prison into a place that helps sick kids in nearby countries by researching and creating vaccines.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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