FDA’s rogue bureaucracy to face intense scrutiny in ‘07
As 2007 dawns, the stars are aligning for fundamental changes in how the government regulates (by that I mean fails to regulate) mercury fillings. Thus much is clear: the clock has run out for the pro-mercury bureaucrats at FDA’s Center for Devices, a bureau so out of the mainstream the Supreme Court calls it “FDA’s neglected stepchild.” The Center’s cover-up of the mercury, its refusal to do an environmental impact statement, its decision to allow amalgam sales with no proof of safety, and its arrogant attitude toward its legal duties will all be addressed in different forums in 2007.
This rogue bureaucracy’s biggest mistake was using a bogus “white paper” to try to strong-arm two scientific panels into acquiescing in their cover-up of the science. Using a public relations offensive over Labor Day weekend of 2006, FDA’s Center for Devices & Radiological Health announced that THIS mercury is safe -- before the panels even convened! Stunned at FDA staff’s callous indifference to the human suffering caused by mercury fillings, the real scientists voted 13 to 7 to repudiate the FDA pseudo-scientists. The scientists withstood pressure as well from the array of dental groups who profit from amalgam.
Media reports indicate that with FDA no longer shilling for organized dentistry, individual dentists who still place mercury fear lawsuits -- as well they should. After the vote of September 7, every dentist in America who continues to place mercury in children and pregnant women -- particularly when miscalling amalgam “silver” -- is on notice of its potentially severe adverse consequences.
Charlie Brown, 12/28/06
Charles G. Brown, National Counsel
Consumers for Dental Choice
1725 K St., N.W., Suite 511, Washington, DC 20006
Ph. 202.822-6307; fax 822-6309
charlie@toxicteeth.org, www.toxicteeth.org