Food and Drug Administration
From Free Talk Live
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Libertarians oppose the FDA's monopoly on the regulation of food and medical products, mainly because it is involuntary. They feel that the government is in no position to tell sovereign individuals what they can or cannot place into their own bodies. Furthermore, individuals should be allowed to evaluate the risks on their own whenever considering medical treatment. If they are unqualified to do so, they can consult their physician.
Of course, libertarians have nothing against voluntary drug certification. An organization such as Underwriters Laboratories could certify drugs to be safe, just as they currently do with virtually all electronics on the market. There is no government agency that forces radio, television, and computer manufactures to get UL certification; they do so voluntarily because it is in their own best interest to please their customers.
Contents |
FDA Raids
- A brief compendium of FDA raids [4]
Overstepping Authority
The FDA also feels it is necessary to regulate herbal remedies, which they DO NOT have the authority to regulate, such as marijuana. Also, unlike their medical counterparts, herbal remedies are NOT allowed to make claims as to function on the label. Instead, people are left to rely on health store clerks and books to judge whether a particular remedy is correct for him or her.
See also
- Abolish the FDA essay
