http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/
Overview The American people depend upon federal agencies to develop science-based policies that protect the nation’s health and welfare. Recently, however, leading scientific journals have begun to question whether scientific integrity at federal agencies has been sacrificed to further a political and ideological agenda. At the request of Rep. Henry A. Waxman, the minority staff of the Government Reform Committee assessed the treatment of science and scientists by the Bush Administration. The report Politics and Science in the Bush Administration (.pdf) http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/pdfs/pdf_politics_and_s cience_rep.pdf finds numerous instances where the Administration has manipulated the scientific process and distorted or suppressed scientific findings. Beneficiaries include important supporters of the President, including social conservatives and powerful industry groups. This website is an ongoing record of interference with science by the Bush Administration. Example In the summer of 2002, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention was preparing to confront the controversial issue of whether to expand the diagnosis of lead poisoning to include children with lower levels of blood lead. For more than a decade, the committee had advised intervention if levels measured 10 micrograms per deciliter or greater. While the lead industry has opposed lowering the standard, recent research has suggested that the cognitive development of children may be impaired at levels of 5 micrograms per deciliter or lower. As the committee prepared to consider changing the standard, HHS Secretary Thompson removed or rejected several qualified scientists and replaced them with lead industry consultants. Examples The Bush Administration has manipulated, distorted, or interfered with science on health, environmental, and other key issues. Find your issue below and read more. [How Issues Were Chosen] Abstinence-Only Education Agricultural Pollution Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Breast Cancer Condoms Drinking Water Education Policy Environmental Health Food Safety Global Warming HIV/AIDS Missile Defense Oil and Gas Reproductive Health Stem Cells Substance Abuse Wetlands Workplace Safety Yellowstone National Park _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
