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Five years ago, in 2007, a report bearing the revealing title “FDA Science and Mission at Risk” by the Subcommittee on Science and Technology, detailed how the FDA cannot fulfill its mission because:

The FDA’s mission statement reads as follows:

 “The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

 The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.”

Furthermore, the report found that “the development of medical products based on ‘new science’ cannot be adequately regulated by the FDA,” and that the agency does not have the capacity to carry out risk assessment and analysis. Additionally, the agency’s science agenda “lacks coherent structure and vision, as well as effective coordination and prioritization.”