Originally Posted by Catonian

That's an interesting point... If the food inspection part of the FDA was privatized, how much more effort would be put into drugs? Frankly I doubt it would work like that... I really, really doubt it would work like that... But it's certainly a nice theory to think we'd have a greater influx of beneficial drugs and a more efficient food inspection service if the FDA wasn't so bogged down and blatantly inefficient. Imagine how much of the FDA's decisions are based off of corruption and politics.

The government could still institute huge fines and penalties on the "food inspection" industry for screw ups... Until lobbyists convinced them to loosen regulations. But again, that may cause food prices to grow again. If it costs to get food inspected, I'm sure food producers could find some reason to up the prices.

I think it's fairly obvious that we have a problem in the FDA. It's a pretty outdated agency, it's got too much to handle, and it's far too susceptible to political and monetary corruption by pharmaceutical companies and the higher ups in the federal government. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act was one of the strongest attempts to curb that, but that was drafted and passed way back in 1883. I believe the most we've had sense is the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which just really added more bureaucracy to the system. Instead of fixing the flaws of the Pendleton Act, it seems we just decided to add a bit more bureaucratic bull(*)(*)(*)(*) to the entire system... Which is becoming part of the American way, sadly.

Originally Posted by Catonian

A smashing job the FDA has been doing lately, aye? I think the government would have something to say if they screwed up, hence the reason there would have to be massive fines and penalities implemented... Which I'm sure wouldn't be nearly adequate enough. The system they have in place now, there's really not much accountability. Just a recall, maybe an investigation into the source, and a dropped issue.

Originally Posted by Catonian

Automated fax machines leave too much room for Robot Takeover.

Originally Posted by Anikdote

There could still be Government oversight, but perhaps it'd be better if they weren't the ones running the show. They don't seem to run any agency well, why would this be an exception...