Please Support HR 1364 for "Free Speech About Science Act (HR 1364)

Congressmen Jason Chaffetz (R–UT) and Jared Polis (D–CO) have introduced the Free Speech about Science Act (HR 1364), a landmark legislation that would allow the flow of legitimate scientific and educational information.⁷ The new bill provides a limited and carefully targeted change to FDA regulations so that manufacturers and producers may reference legitimate, peer-reviewed scientific studies without converting a natural food or dietary supplement into an "unapproved drug." According to Rep. Chaffetz's website, the provisions of HR 1364 do the following⁸:

• Allow dietary supplements and healthy foods to cite legitimate scientific research
• Provide a clear definition of the types of research that may be referenced by growers and manufacturers
• Ensure that referencing such research does not convert a food or dietary supplement into an "unapproved (and therefore illegal) new drug"
• Retain the authority of FDA and FTC to pursue any fraudulent and misleading statements

According to Rep. Chaffetz⁹:

"It is important for individuals and families to take charge of their personal health by making the right decisions to get and stay healthy. This includes accessing information so that individuals can adjust habits, eat healthfully, and take appropriate dietary supplements to prevent and even treat health conditions.

The Free Speech About Science Act helps insure their access to legitimate scientific research to make the necessary decisions to improve their personal health and the health of their families."

Rep. Polis adds¹⁰:

"Today's science has shown that vitamins and nutritional supplements can offer successful, natural alternatives to drugs. As we begin to reform our nation's healthcare system, supplements are an innovative way to help reduce costs.

The Free Speech About Science Act is a common sense act that will make it easier for doctors and consumers to learn about the cheaper, healthier alternatives to costly medicines that food and nutritional supplements provide."

As of December 2011, HR 1364 is in the first step in the legislative process and has been referred to committee. The majority of bills never make it out of committee, so we need your help.

Please lend HR 1364 your support by signing on as a co-sponsor TODAY.

Use the Alliance for Natural Health's HR 1364 page to send a letter to your representative in support of this bill.¹¹ And forward or post this article to all of your friends and loved ones who care about their health and their right to informed consent. With your combined influence we can be a powerful force for much-needed change.

Why am I asking for your help and support for this bill?  This Article by Dr. Mercola  on March 7, 2012 will explain why I think it is important.  

Story at-a-glance

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a warning letter to Diamond Food for making truthful, science-backed health claims about the omega-3 fats in walnuts
• Because the research cited health claims that omega-3 fats in walnuts may prevent or protect against disease, the FDA said walnuts would be considered “new drugs” and as such would require a new drug application to become FDA-approved
• Under current FDA law, if a food or natural supplement makes a medical claim, it's automatically classified as a drug
• Regulations currently prohibit manufacturers of dietary supplements or producers of food from referring to any scientific study documenting the potential effect of the substance on a health condition, punishable by large fines and even jail, even if the science is completely credible and true
• You can help by supporting the Free Speech about Science Act (HR 1364), a landmark legislation that would change FDA regulations so that manufacturers and producers may reference legitimate, peer-reviewed scientific studies without converting a natural food or dietary supplement into an "unapproved drug" 

This article shows how the FDA is totally controlled by the Big Drug companies. This bill would stop this bought and paid for agency from taking another Constitutional Right away from you.  As Dr Mercola asked in his article:

Is it Not a Constitutional Right to Share Truthful, Scientific Information?

This is so ridiculous, as censoring a food producer's right to inform others about scientific research is in violation of the first amendment. The American Association for Health Freedom (AAHF) states:

"The FDA ignores first amendment protections and censors the communication of valid scientific information. The agency seems to have lost sight of its mandate to protect the public and has instead come to see itself as the guardian of corporate interests."

Can you imagine the drug companies not being permitted to tell you what their products could do for you... do you think they would roll over for that? Not a chance, but they don't have to simply because they are the ones who can afford the FDA's approval process. With few exceptions, it's impossible for food producers to assume such costs for natural and therefore non-patentable products.

It's ludicrous for the FDA to require natural products to be "vetted" the same way as drugs. In nearly every case, natural products are safer and more effective than synthetic drugs, as science has shown, time and time again. Not to mention that natural agents are much less expensive than pharmaceuticals, and can even be grown in your backyard!

It's unfortunate that the FDA is so beholden to the drug industry that it would waste it's time to attack a walnut manufacturer for citing scientific research while allowing Frito Lay to claim that its Lay's potato chips are "heart healthy."

And walnut producers are not alone. Cherry growers have also been threatened by the FDA with jail time if their websites even contain links to scientific studies from Harvard and elsewhere, outlining the health benefits of cherries for gout or arthritis pain.⁴ Green tea growers have received similar threats. As I said, it truly boggles the mind…

This why I am asking all my readers to join me in backing HR 1364 by going to the Alliance for Natural Health's site and signing the letter to your Rep.'s  in Washington to co-sponsor this important bill.  I also ask you to pass this on to your friends and ask them to join with us to get this important bill passed.  I also suggest you read the entire article by Dr. Mercola title:  "This Popular Nut Slashed Breast Cancer Risk in Mice by 50%"

Thanks for your help in this important task, remember you should have control of your healthcare not the government or the insurance companies.