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...sharp conflict with the view of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Feedback, a newsletter published by the Harvard University Food Services, encourages students to use the artificial sweetener, saccharin. In a statement we believe to be unwarranted, the September issue of Feedback states that "saccharine, nitrites, and hundreds of other food additives are perfectly safe at the levels currently used in our foods." The publication and distribution of this document under the imprimatur of the University's Food Services raises serious questions. We shall comment here only on certain scientific and policy questions...
...page study on analgesics just released by the FDA, a six-member advisory panel confirms that both aspirin and acetaminophen relieve minor aches and reduce fever, but it also issues a sharp warning against extravagant claims. "Adjective-itis," FDA Commissioner Donald Kennedy calls it, and urges new caveats to protect unwary consumers from potential dangers that could accompany overzealous use of analgesics. Among other things, the panel suggests...
...panel's recommendations must still run the usual bureaucratic gauntlet, including a public airing, and could be modified after drug companies weigh in with their objections. But the FDA seems determined to deal with the national headache of analgesic misuse. As the FDA's Kennedy put it: "Consumers must be assured that the drugs they buy are rationally formulated with safe and effective ingredients and labeled and advertised with information that is complete, honest and understandable...
...developer and chief promoter of Laetrile, Ernst Krebs Jr., fared no better than the rest of the Laetrile crew at the session. The only applause from the gallery came when Senator Kennedy wryly corrected Krebs, who had referred to the FDA commissioner as "Mr. Kennedy." Said the Senator (no kin): "He's Dr. Kennedy. You're Mr. Krebs." That was a pointed reminder to all the world that Krebs, who likes to call himself "doctor," has only an honorary Ph.D...
Possibly, as Ingelfinger suggests, a public trial supervised by a collaboration of doctors and laymen might do more to bury Laetrile than all the official debunking. It would perhaps help repair the badly strained bond between medicine and the American people. Yet a too easy acquiescence by the FDA could, like any strong medication, produce unwanted and even dangerous side effects. By letting individuals use Laetrile, regardless of its value, the Government would be abrogating its traditional responsibilities to protect the national wellbeing. It could also fan the already widespread public suspicion of contemporary medicine and indeed of scientific expertise...