The FDA is part of each American's life, every day through its assessment of medical and food products as well as consumer goods and the FDA is expected to be a highly competent, independent gatekeeper of public safety. The ASM urges Congress to recognize the essential nature of this responsibility and the high standards with which the FDA responds to its challenges. The ASM strongly supports a budget increase to improve the FDA's scientific base. In this century, accelerated changes in science and technology will complicate further the approval processes overseen by the agency. This will press the FDA to stay not only current, but at the forefront, in fast-moving scientific specialties.
Good science is the foundation of good regulatory decisions.
With U.S. research funding expanding, it is clear that, if the FDA is to maintain its role as a trusted guardian of public health, science at the agency must receive additional support from Congress and the Administration. Not only will scientific information become more complex, but related social and economic issues will further expand and complicate FDA's responsibilities. Last year's announcement of the successful mapping of the human genome epitomizes the FDA's expanding challenge. Genetic science will result in potential benefits, problems, and products heretofore unknown. The swirling ethical controversy also underscores the importance of the FDA's tradition of educating the American public about new products as well as monitoring the safety and effectiveness of new products after they are approved.