Supplements: Currently, dietary supplements are largely not regulated. The only big thing is that they are not allowed to claim to fix or cure anything. Other than that, they can make, essentially, whatever they want. For a long time, many have said that supplements should be better regulated. While supplements and vitamins do not help people unless they are deficient in that vitamin, many people still take supplements. Who is the government to tell people that they can not buy ineffective things if it makes them feel better? 

Once you have reviewed the content for this week, you will pick one of the topics presented. The question I want you to consider is to what degree should the government be able to implement and enforce consumer protection laws and regulations. 

As you read, there are many things that the government has started to regulate more fiercely to protect consumers and, at the same time, things that they have started to loosen up on and expect the consumer to be educated and make their own decisions. 

This week, you are to pick one of the topics presented and either argue for or against it. I want you to address a few things in your discussion post. 

1. What are the public or medical health concerns associated with this topic? 
2. What laws/regulations have been implemented in the past to address the problem and what are the current laws/regulations? 
3. What, if any, are the international regulations/laws about this topic? If their laws are different, why might they be different? 
4. Where do you feel the line should be drawn for this topic in terms of consumer freedoms and choice versus the government making regulations to protect the people at large?