Scientists working for Federal agencies asked to alter their findings to support the adminstration's and industry's views . Scientists fearful of speaking out because they feel their jobs are in danger. We've seen it at
NOAA, at the
FWS, and
numerous other federal agencies whose mission is to use science in the service of the public good. On Thursday the
Union of Concerned Scientists published its report on inappropriate interference with science at the Food and Drug Administration.
Among the key findings:
- Of the 997 FDA scientists who responded to the survey, nearly one-fifth (18.4 percent) said that they "have been asked, for non-scientific reasons, to inappropriately exclude or alter technical information or their conclusions in a FDA scientific document."
- Forty percent of respondents fear retaliation for voicing safety concerns in public. This fear, scientists say, combines with other pressures to compromise the agency's ability to protect public health and safety.
- More than a third of the respondents did not feel they could express safety concerns even inside the agency.
The potential outcome of such interference are increased rates of mortality and morbidity in the American public this agency is supposed to protect.
"This is more than just a bureaucratic problem within the agency," said Kim Witczak, WoodyMatters.com, who lost her husband due to side effects of a dangerous anti-depressant.
"It has real human impacts which can be devastating. My husband paid the ultimate price for FDA's lack of accountability."
The UCS recommends that the following policies be put into place to protect the public from the danger of food, drugs, vaccines, and medical devices that the FDA is falsely reporting as safe.
- Accountability: FDA leadership must face consequences if they side with commercial or political interests and not with the American people.
- Transparency: Scientific research and reviews should be open so any undue manipulation is immediately apparent.
- Protection: Safeguards must be put in place for all government scientists who speak out.
The Rethugs are ruining all the institutions we could once hold up as examples of progress and excellence to the rest of the world.
The SFChronicle also has a piece on this report.