[geon]

More like it was facilitated by the need.

Had they had as low fatality rate as developed countries, I doubt weak regulation would have spurred innovation.

Which is supported by the fact that fatality rates now almost match developed countries. If it was the weak regulation that spurred innovation, the rate should continue to fall.

[xyzzy123]

Relatively weaker regulation (coupled with need!) allowed a doctor to deploy an unapproved pediatric device. You might get away with this once or twice but if you were a company making this thing in the west you would get rightfully sued into a smoking crater.

I think the fallacy in your reasoning is to assume that innovation is “proportional” to death rate somehow. Doing it cheaper (or even at all!) under the constraints you have is still innovation. Put another way I think we have different definitions of innovation. The way I think of it, equivalent outcome for way less cost still counts.