Critical Thinking,  Decision-making,  Policy

Critical Thinking, Policy and Food and Drug Quality

We are in the midst of several epidemics. The source, or at least an enabling factor for some of them, is obesity. Obesity is an epidemic as well as shown in the figure above. But there are other problems with our food, to include:

  • Studies link some foods, such as sugar, to cancer. For example, see this US News and World Report. There are many others, although the US National Cancer Institute states: “But with few exceptions, studies of human populations have not yet shown definitively that any dietary component causes or protects against cancer.”
Table Critical Thinking Questions for Policies
Question Policy Implications
Why? Why do we need the policy? What is the hypothesis and how do we test it?
Cui Bono (who benefits)? Who are the key stakeholders and who will benefit? Should they pay for the policy?
Sine qua non (what is essential for success?) What are the objectives and critical success factors? What happens when we accomplish them?
Aurea Mediocritas (what is the golden mean?) What are the effects on other policies and important strategic initiatives and actions? How do we balance them? Do we need 100% success or just a portion?
Ceteris Paribas (all other things being equal) If we do not implement the policy, what happens?

 

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