In many cases, that can't or shouldn't be done without a doctor's help. That assumes everyone has access to one, which isn't true.
And I never advocated outlawing anything, did I? I hate it when people do that.
All of this also assumes perfectly educated people, and that everyone is in total control of their faculties. Even if we miraculously get the former (dream on), we never will have the latter, which is why financial scams against the elderly can work so well. I'm sure you wouldn't advocate total dereg of the insurance industry or of complex financial products.
As to FDA, Walter Williams suggested that in the absence of FDA, a drug-biz equivalent of Underwriters Labs would be created and that would serve as a better screen than the totally risk-averse FDA. This would serve as a great due-diligence starting point for consumers and docs, when available. And I'd be willing to entertain the notion that someone can try to peddle their supplements with the drug-UL equivalent label, so that it people wanted to do the experimental stuff, they could.
I'd be willing to take a chance on gutting the FDA and trying the private-screening idea out. Is that free-market enough for you?
Oops, meant to say WITHOUT the drug-UL label.
Oh, give me a break. I often know more about the prescriptions that doctors have written for me or my family, all through my own research. I've even had to call and have a doctor correct an improper dosage or change the drug altogether. They're not "gods", not even close.
In fact, many are nothing more than middle men for HMOs and/or pharmaceutical companies.
Well now we know where you're coming from... talk about pointy-headed elitism.