It isn't just bureacracy. It is more sinister than that. One head of the FDA explicitly stated once that the primary function of the FDA is to protect the American pharmaceutical industry.
Drugs invented overseas do not get approved after decades of safe use. One of our companies come out with something that has a similar mechenism of action and voila - approval! Despite a much shorter safety screening period.
Having said that though, I really wonder if completely blocking the sun is really *that* good for us? We need some sunlight.
I doubt this stuff is going to turn back the clock or do anything miraculous.
Even if it did, we will learn 10 years after lathering up with it that the active ingredient, while maybe preventing wrinkles, seeps into the system and causes liver damage or some horrible brain disease.
< Step off your Cynics Soapbox now Bluefish >
Of course! And THAT's why it always is that the dirtiest politicians and the wealthiest companies in the regulated industry always "capture" GOVERNMENT (read: political) regulatory agencies. In fact, if you check out the FDA's board of directors, it's almost all ex-officers of the pharmaceutical industry. They even set the bar for approving new drugs so high that ONLY the multi-billion dollar giants can afford to get the approvals (and guess what? they get to buy out all the small drug entrepreneurs and labs -- and even cosmetic companies! -- on the cheap if they ever come up with something good).
That's why we need to replace the FDA with a UL-type PRIVATE regulator. I used to have to meet UL specs for electrical components and, UNLIKE the FDA, are extremely tough, fair, unbribable and UNpressurable.
Check out http://freedomkeys.com/complex.htm