I agree there are lots of problems with the FDA but this isn't one of them. Silicone implants such as those banned in the US since the 90s have been passed as safe in virtually every other country, and are industry standard for both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery across the world. It is about time the FDA got around to passing them in the US too.

It is completely simplistic to suggest that breast implants are just for men's pleasure. In addition to cancer survivors, women sometimes have highly asymmetrical breasts, lose most of their breast tissue after breast feeding, or experience various other problems of breast shape and development. While cosmetic, these problems have a HUGE psychological impact on a  woman's sense of her femininity, and corrective surgery can change a person's life. It irks me that debate in this topic often takes up a view of the world as celebrity magazines represent it, when we know in any other context that this is hardly representative. Kneejerk responses demonize thousands of women for whom this surgery is a serious decision.