"Some 10,000 US researchers have signed a statement protesting about political interference in the scientific process," BBC reports today. "The statement, which includes the backing of 52 Nobel Laureates, demands a restoration of scientific integrity in government policy." Along with the statement, the Union of Concerned Scientists have released their "A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science." The report, laid out in the style of the periodic table, "documents dozens of recent allegations involving censorship and political interference in federal science, covering issues ranging from global warming to sex education." "In recent years," UCS writes, "scientists who work for and advise the federal government have seen their work manipulated, suppressed, distorted, while agencies have systematically limited public and policy maker access to critical scientific information." "It's very difficult to make good public policy without good science, and it's even harder to make good public policy with bad science," said Dr Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security. "In the last several years, we've seen an increase in both the misuse of science and I would say an increase of bad science in a number of very important issues; for example, in global climate change, international peace and security, and water resources."
I host a daily public affairs radio show in San Francisco called Your Call. It airs from 11 am - noon PST on KALW 91.7 FM. I am also happy to report that I recently got a book deal with PoliPoint Press to write about my road trip through the heartland and the interviews I did with people about why they vote the way they do (or not). It's scheduled to be out in September.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Researchers Document How Bush Administration Manipulates Science
In recent years, scientists who work for and advise the federal government have seen their work manipulated, suppressed, and distorted. This is from the Center for American Progress:
Thank you so much for this post and its links.
ReplyDeleteWhile the systematic suppression of science has been not the least of BushCo's overwhelming transgressions, it has been one of the lesser publicized and overseen.
Covering up truths and devastation of the environment have been part and parcel of this administration's inhumanities and corruptions.
Thanks to the scientists too: if we are becoming a nation of whistleblowers, then so be it.