Scientific Integrity
Political interference in federal government science is weakening our nation's ability to respond to the complex challenges we face. Because policy makers depend on impartial research to make informed decisions, we are mobilizing scientists and citizens alike to push for reforms that will enable our leaders to fully protect our health, safety, and environment.
Features
Scientific Integrity and the Presidential Transition
In preparation for the incoming administration of President-elect Obama, UCS has developed a series of recommendations that will help executive and congressional leaders to restore scientific integrity to federal policymaking. We have incorporated input from scientists, government officials, and public interest groups, and have presented them to representatives from the presidential transition team.
New Report on Federal Agency Media Policies
To assess the degree of freedom with which science is communicated at federal agencies, UCS conducted an investigation of 15 federal regulatory and science agencies. The report, Freedom to Speak? A Report Card on Federal Agency Media Policies, found significant inconsistencies and confusion among agency media policies and their implementation.
Scientific Freedom and the Public Good
We call on Congress and the Executive Branch to codify these freedoms, to establish stronger means for gathering scientific advice, and to take concrete steps to enhance transparency, so as to create conditions conducive to a thriving scientific enterprise that will serve our democracy with integrity and bring the full fruits of science to all Americans and to the world.
Successes
Recent successes in Scientific Integrity include:
- Improving drug safety
- Giving federal scientists a voice
- Protecting endangered species science
- Uncovering abuses of science in multiple government agencies
- Protecting the public from unsafe products
Analysis
New Report on Federal Agency Media Policies
To assess the degree of freedom with which science is communicated at federal agencies, the Union of Concerned Scientists conducted an investigation of 15 federal regulatory and science agencies.
Federal Science and the Public Good
A UCS examination of direct political interference in science, systemic changes that have made it more difficult for federal scientists to serve the public interest, and specific steps needed to restore scientific integrity to federal policy making.
Interference at the EPA
Hundreds of scientists report political interference in their work, significant barriers to the free communication of scientific results, and concerns about the agency's effectiveness.
Atmosphere of Pressure
A UCS investigation into political interference in federal climate change science, complete with recommendations for reducing inappropriate meddling.
Campaigns
Protect the Endangered Species Act
For decades, scientists have provided critical analysis of the consequences of federal projects for endangered species. But now the Bush administration has proposed changes to the historic Endangered Species Act that cut scientists out of the process.
Scientific Integrity and the Presidential Election
Over the next year, presidential candidates will be crisscrossing the states trying to gain public support. The 2008 presidential election presents an important opportunity to ask the candidates questions about defending science from political interference.
Endorse the Scientists' Call to Action
Restoring scientific integrity to federal policy making will take a sustained commitment by Congress and the president--and that will require persistent and energetic engagement from scientists and citizens alike.
Resources
A-to-Z Guide to Political Interference
In recent years, 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. To document this abuse, the Union of Concerned Scientists has created the A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science.
Scientific Integrity Curriculum Guide
To foster thoughtful discussions about the proper role of science in federal policy making, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has created a Scientific Integrity Curriculum Guide to help undergraduate and advanced high school instructors teach this complex subject.
Voices of Federal Scientists
A series of surveys from 2005-2007 designed to explore the level of political interference in science at federal agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and federal climate scientists.
