[gumby]

> The FDA seems to take the stance that if it's not obviously toxic, conmen can sell anything they can get enough people to believe in.

The agency does not wish to take this position but was required to by an act of congress sponsored by that notable scientist and physician Orrin Hatch. You ask what his medical qualifications are? Campaign $$$ of course (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/us/politics/21hatch.html )

Despite this the agency has still managed to come down hard on unsubstantiated medical claims by some homeopathic rip off artists. But basically $25 Bn can fund a lot of laws to hurt the public.