Problem
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Arguments for and against the use of Dietary Supplements
I. What are the arguments for and against the use of dietary supplements?
II. According to the Health and Education Act of 1994, dietary supplements with familiar ingredients may be marketed without any evidence of effectiveness or safety. Supplements with new ingredients are supposed to provide the FDA with the evidence of safety, but this part of the law is rarely enforced (over the past 10 years, the department has had severe cutbacks to funding). Regardless of political alignment or justification, these approaches reflect the anti-regulation philosophy and approach to most industry (regardless of intent). Individual responsibility and knowledge necessary to navigate this very confusing market is "trumpeted" as the vital piece-or is it? This is a multi-billion dollar industry and lobbyists that represent these companies/industry vie for the political entities that make policy. Both the industry and the FDA acknowledge that most supplements are currently on the market without any assessment of safety.
What is your position on this situation and what changes to the law, if any, would you propose to support your position?