Who Should Fund Product Safety Studies?

Biology plays a major role in the research, development, and production of food, medicine, and other consumer items. Companies that make these items profit by selling reliable and useful products in the marketplace. For example, the plastics industry provides countless products for everyday use.

But sometimes questions arise concerning product safety. Bisphenol-A (BPA), for instance, is a chemical found in hard plastics. Those plastics are used to make baby bottles, reusable water bottles, and the linings of many food and soft drink cans. Is BPA safe? This type of question can be posed as a scientific hypothesis to be tested. But who does the testing? Who funds the studies and analyzes the results?

Ideally, independent scientists test products for safety and usefulness. That way, the people who gather and analyze data can remain objective—they have nothing to gain by exaggerating the positive effects of products and nothing to lose by stating any risks. However, scientists are often hired by private companies to develop or test their products.

Often, test results are clear: A product is safe or it isn't. Based on these results, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or another government agency makes recommendations to protect and promote public health. Sometimes, though, results are tough to interpret.

More than 100 studies have been done on BPA—some funded by the government, some funded by the plastics industry. Most of the independent studies found that low doses of BPA could have negative health effects on laboratory animals. A few studies, mostly funded by the plastics industry, concluded that BPA is safe. In this case, the FDA ultimately declared BPA to be safe. When the issue of BPA safety hit the mass media, government investigations began. So, who should sponsor product safety studies?