University of Virginia Library

Inhibiting Research

Should we cheer? The Food and
Drug Administration now has the
courts' backing to prohibit the sale
of not only harmful, but inefficient
drugs as well. One expert asserts
that under present restrictions a
cancer cure, if found, would require
seven years to be accepted for
general use. Even such a discovery
is probably years further away now
due to the inhibiting effects on
research of bureaucratic meddling.

The fallacy of the misguided
crusaders is evident. As Milton
Friedmann expresses it, we are
asked to believe that, as voters, we
are competent to select others to
make for us decisions in directly
which we are incompetent, as
consumers, to make for ourselves
directly. It is the fallacy that
eventually catches up with any
scheme of economic central planning.

History has shown freedom the
best policy. We should be free, as
individuals and voluntary associations,
to offer and accept goods and
services as we please, with government
only insuring everyone advertise
truly and live up to their
contracts. If we produce unwanted
products or choose poorly, we have
no one to blame but ourselves.
Government is instituted to protect
us from violence and fraud, not our
own stupidity or poor tastes.