In a recent thread I've already lost track of, I stated that I trusted the FDA more than the CDC because the FDA is more cognizant of how badly its screw ups can blow up in its face. Evidently, they aren't anymore.
I've always said we got lucky with AZT - it was rushed through the process and while it's not anyone's idea of a good drug to have to take (side effects, oh heck yeah) it did seem (we're assuming that not all of the last thirty years of research are suspect) to do far more good than harm. It could easily have gone the other way. Maybe gays wouldn't have been giving birth to limbless children - but we could have inadvertently killed a lot of people had the drug had more of a sting in its tail than it did.
I was wrong about the FDA - they're way too politicized to remember their past.
Maybe we should go back to no immunity for any manufacturer and let them bear all the risk. We could require a bond to pay the damages if they do send something to market that proves nasty within ten years and otherwise they can just deal with the lawsuits. The FDA doesn't exactly have a sterling track record - maybe good old sue the jerks will work better.
I've always said we got lucky with AZT - it was rushed through the process and while it's not anyone's idea of a good drug to have to take (side effects, oh heck yeah) it did seem (we're assuming that not all of the last thirty years of research are suspect) to do far more good than harm. It could easily have gone the other way. Maybe gays wouldn't have been giving birth to limbless children - but we could have inadvertently killed a lot of people had the drug had more of a sting in its tail than it did.
I was wrong about the FDA - they're way too politicized to remember their past.
Maybe we should go back to no immunity for any manufacturer and let them bear all the risk. We could require a bond to pay the damages if they do send something to market that proves nasty within ten years and otherwise they can just deal with the lawsuits. The FDA doesn't exactly have a sterling track record - maybe good old sue the jerks will work better.
Comment