David Kessler's "A Question of Intent"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that David Kessler's book "A Question of Intent" demonstrates how even something apparently objective, like factual data regarding science and human health, is still open to subjective interpretation and influence in the political arena. The paper points out that, during his tenure from 1990 to 1997 at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kessler created more aggressive agency policies in regards to tobacco regulation, food labeling and prescription drug approval. The paper then relates that, in his book, Kessler explains how and why he chose to take a more proactive regulatory role in regards to the agency's responsibilities overseeing the health of the American public.

Table of Contents:
Public Policy--"A Question of Intent"
Incident 1: Big Tobacco
Incident 2: Food (mis) Labeling
Incident 3: Drugs

From the Paper:

"Although American consumers might like to think they have grown savvier about reading food labels and understanding food misleading food advertising, Kessler was one of the first FDA heads to realize that apparently innocuous labels could contain a great deal of misinformation because of the way they were marketed, and only contain accurate information if consumers interpreted the 'fine print' hidden in an inaccessible fashion on the label. He required food manufacturers to stop calling processed foods fresh if they had been made with frozen tomatoes or orange juice made from concentrate."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kessler, David. A Question of Intent. New York: PublicAffairs: 2001.

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