10,000 U.S. scientists sign-on against political interference
Some 10,000 US researchers have signed a
statement protesting about political interference in the scientific
process.
Some 10,000 US researchers have signed a statement
protesting about political interference in the scientific
process.
The statement, which includes the backing of 52 Nobel Laureates, demands a restoration of scientific integrity in government policy.
According to the American Union of Concerned Scientists, data is being misrepresented for political reasons.
It claims scientists working for federal agencies have been asked to change data to fit policy initiatives.
The Union has released an “A to Z” guide that it says documents dozens of recent allegations involving censorship and political interference in federal science, covering issues ranging from global warming to sex education.
Campaigners say that in recent years the White House has been able to censor the work of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration because a Republican congress has been loath to stand up for scientific integrity.
Michael Halpern from the UCS said the statement of objection to political interference had been supported by researchers regardless of their political views.
“This science statement that has now been signed by the 10,000 scientists is signed by science advisers to both Republican and Democratic administrations dating back to President Eisenhower, stating that this is not business as usual and calling for this practice to stop,” he told BBC News.
Phew! That’s a lot of well-educated subversives. A number of university science departments must still be teaching ethics.
The statement, which includes the backing of 52 Nobel Laureates, demands a restoration of scientific integrity in government policy.
According to the American Union of Concerned Scientists, data is being misrepresented for political reasons.
It claims scientists working for federal agencies have been asked to change data to fit policy initiatives.
The Union has released an “A to Z” guide that it says documents dozens of recent allegations involving censorship and political interference in federal science, covering issues ranging from global warming to sex education.
Campaigners say that in recent years the White House has been able to censor the work of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration because a Republican congress has been loath to stand up for scientific integrity.
Michael Halpern from the UCS said the statement of objection to political interference had been supported by researchers regardless of their political views.
“This science statement that has now been signed by the 10,000 scientists is signed by science advisers to both Republican and Democratic administrations dating back to President Eisenhower, stating that this is not business as usual and calling for this practice to stop,” he told BBC News.
Phew! That’s a lot of well-educated subversives. A number of university science departments must still be teaching ethics.
Posted: Thu - December 14, 2006 at 05:19 AM