WASHINGTON (June 25, 2007)—Today the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) kicked off voting for its second annual "Science Idol" editorial cartoon contest. The competition draws attention to the growing problem of political interference in federal government science on issues as diverse as drug safety and global warming.  

Hundreds of artists of all ages from across the United States submitted entries to the popular contest. UCS worked with leading cartoonists, including two Pulitzer Prize winners, to narrow down the entries to 12 finalists.

2007 UCS Science Idol winner James McLeod, along with Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau, Washington Post cartoonist Tom Toles and Speed Bump artist Dave Coverly, helped choose the finalists, whose drawings will appear in the 2008 UCS scientific integrity calendar. The finalist receiving the most votes will win a cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for lunch with Toles.

To view all 12 "Science Idol" cartoons and cast your vote, go to www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol. Voting continues through July 23. Voters will have the chance to win limited edition T-shirts plus copies of the 2008 UCS scientific integrity calendar.