Rational passion and passionate reason
who is chatting on SOLO ChatThe Free RadicalPopular contentWho's newPollWhat should the government do about ailing financial institutions? Nothing, except to back off and get out—as any Objectivist knows, intervention is treating the disease with the disease 83% Intervene judiciously—enough to avert a catastrophe that is otherwise imminent 3% Intervene massively—as it's doing 3% Nationalize the whole economy and be done with it. Bring on the USSA! 1% Something else (specify) 11% Total votes: 80
 Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
 Economics In One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt
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FDA: American Research Prohibited, Foreign Research Ignored Submitted by AdamReed on Mon, 2006-04-24 20:24.
Bush's FDA justifies its prohibition against medical applications of marijuana by declaring that "no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States..." It appears that the 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, which concluded that marijuana was "moderately well suited for particular conditions, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and AIDS wasting," was based on research in other countries, where the FDA has no authority to prohibit scientists from studying it: Go read.
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Another example
I am a Kiwi Ophthalmologist so I lay no claim to any deep understanding of your FDA except that I know of several examples where it appears to be irrationally and unscientifically restrictive.
The biggest clangour is Vision Blue.
I went to New Orleans for the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting to years ago. It was one hell of a meeting. 40,000 ophthalmologists from around under one roof, I had never experienced such a concentration knowledge.
If I learn one significant thing at a conference that actually changes my clinical practise of ophthalmology, I judge it a success. At New Orleans I learnt 3 key points.
New Orleans was one hell of city. My wife Maree and I went for it and had a ball. There was so much to see and do. We ate too much, drank too much, stayed out too late. We walked miles through a varied and beautiful city steeped both in a rich history and a fascinating tapestry of cultures.
It was a "The Liver is Evil and Must be Punished" kind of trip!
The strange thing was while in some ways American Ophthalmology was cutting edge, in some ways it was really backward. I mean years off the pace.
Vision blue is a dye. It stains the covering of the crystalline lens in cases of mature cataract extraction surgery. I went to this lecture on "Advanced techniques of cataract extraction" by this guy billed as one of Americas top surgeons. He described this new wonder substance and how it was not FDA approved. He described how he smuggled it in illegally from Mexico in the boot of his car for his really difficult cases.
He showed surgical videos of how the stuff was used. The audience was riveted. I was not. Sure its invaluable stuff. Sure it allows mature cataract surgery be performed with modern techniques and much more safely.
I was not paying attention because I was trained to use the stuff as a registrar (i.e. a residenct) six or seven years previously. I honestly could not tell you how many times I have used it both here and in the UK. I have never seen read or heard of a adverse reaction to it. It is almost indispensable in some cases and I cringe at the thought of being without it.
I could quote other examples, so I am not surprised by your post at all.
On a happier note, hats off to the American Academy and I look forward to their Los Vegas meeting this November. Sadly Maree can't make this one, and I will be dossing down in a casino on the strip with couple of mates. I have pre-booked a smorgasbord of lectures for the days but worry how we will occupy our nights...