Plain and simple, the FDA needs new blood. The agency needs to inject a dose of fresh scientific talent and critical thinking into the drug assessment and approval process.

In 1947 there was no cure for TB - doctors prescribed fresh air and a regular diet - but there was a new, experimental drug on the market, streptomycin.

In this year's Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak in fresh produce, intensive testing was conducted by industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other agencies.