[IP] US scientists reject interference
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Robert J. Berger" <rberger@xxxxxxx>
Date: December 15, 2006 12:37:59 PM JST
To: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, David Farber
<dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: US scientists reject interference
US scientists reject interference
By Jonathan Amos Science reporter, BBC News, San Francisco
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6178213.stm
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.
"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."
The statement was released at the American Geophysical Union's Fall
Meeting. It is an annual gathering of Earth scientists.
Last year, it triggered a major row when a discussion here resulted
in the renowned US space agency climate scientist Dr James Hansen
later claiming he had come under pressure not to talk to the media on
global warming issues.
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.
The Union said is was hopeful that the new Congress taking office in
January would show a greater commitment to protecting the integrity
of the scientific process.
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Robert J. Berger - Internet Bandwidth Development, LLC.
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