Contents

1. Summary
2. 10,000 Scientists Condemn Politicization of Science
3. UCS Pressures EPA to Stop Closing Its Scientific Libraries
4. Activists Convince Senators to Improve FDA Culture of Science
5. Activists' Cartoons Published in 2007 Calendar
6. Additional Activity

Summary

Towards the end of 2006, UCS re-released the scientists statement on scientific integrity, now signed by more than 10,000 U.S. scientists and engineers. UCS and our activists called upon decision makers to improve the culture of science at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. The Science Idol Editorial Cartoon Contest came to an end, with several cartoons by UCS activists being published in a 2007 calendar. And UCS continued to expose, document, and draw attention to political interference in science.

More Than 10,000 Scientists Condemn Politicization of Science

Since the February 2004 release of our scientists statement speaking out against political interference in science and calling for the restoration of scientific integrity to policy making, a steady stream of scientists has expressed their concern by adding their signatures to the statement. Initially signed by 62 leading scientists, the statement now bears the signature of more than 10,000 scientists—including 52 Nobel laureates—from all 50 states and several U.S. territories.

This milestone has already been noted by media outlets like the Washington Post and Santa Cruz Sentinel; we expect it will continue to resonate throughout the coming months with the new Congress and with editorial boards like the Pocono Record. The statement is still open for signature and is intended for scientists with or working towards advanced degrees in life, physical, social, and mathematical sciences; scientists with or working towards advanced degrees in health fields; and all engineers.

EPA Closing its Libraries

UCS is asking activists to call Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson and urge him to halt the dismantling of the library system. Several libraries have already been closed, with their contents either destroyed or shipped to repositories where they are uncataloged and inaccessible.

Pressure from UCS staff and activists, as well as other organizations, has driven media coverage of the problem. The EPA has responded with a press release and press conference, both of which failed to address many of the central problems with the EPA's decision to close its libraries. There are even factual errors in the press release; the American Library Association has not provided guidance or criteria to the EPA and continues to raise significant concerns about the EPA's actions.

The EPA tells us that some UCS activists' phone and email messages to specific EPA public affairs staff have been brought to EPA senior management. As a result, EPA has asked to meet with UCS over the next few days. Calls are still needed, however, to let the EPA know that citizens and scientists are still concerned about this problem and are watching the EPA's actions. Also, if you are a researcher whose work has been or would be impacted by library closure and/or delayed access to documents, we would like to share your story with the EPA; please confidentially email UCS Analyst Tim Donaghy or call him at (202) 331-6944.

Improving Science at the FDA

In mid-November, more than 1,400 UCS activists whose senators serve on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee called their senator's office to urge them to listen to scientists' concerns about the suppression of science and intimidation of scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A 2006 UCS survey of FDA scientists demonstrated pervasive and dangerous political interference in science at the agency.

The message was heard loud and clear: Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and Jack Reed (D-RI) all mentioned that the politicization of FDA science and the pressures placed upon FDA scientists were major issues that need to be addressed.

"Science has too often had to take a back seat at the very agency which should be setting the standard for objectivity and integrity," said Senator Kennedy. "There is also growing evidence that the dedicated professionals at the FDA have been pressured to trim their scientific views to the prevailing political winds. These are symptoms of a serious illness, and we should act without delay to provide the cure." Senator Murray added, "I've been very concerned that political ideology has undermined sound science at the FDA." While no specific changes were made to the legislation, calls from UCS activists helped set a tone that lawmakers need to defend science from political interference when considering FDA reform.

The new Congress will work on FDA reform legislation starting this month. In order for the public's health to be protected, it's crucial that this legislation include provisions protecting the science and scientists at the agency. UCS will continue to monitor FDA reform as it moves forward this year.

2007 Scientific Integrity Cartoon Calendar

In the summer of 2006, creative minds throughout America had the opportunity to show off their artistic and comedic talents in support of independent science by entering Science Idol: the Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest. Artists of all skill levels submitted hundreds of entries dealing with political interference in science, in areas ranging from global warming to public health.

The top 12 cartoons–including several from UCS activists–have been published in the 2007 Scientific Integrity Cartoon Calendar, a wonderful gift for scientists and non-scientists alike who want to spread awareness about the importance of independent science.

Additional Activity

In the past few months, UCS has used a number of different venues to continue our work to expose, document, and draw attention to political interference in science, including:

• In early December, UCS released our A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science, a new web resource in the shape of the periodic table that details dozens of recent allegations of political interference in federal science. The examples are presented in several accessible ways with full documentation.
• UCS and several partner organizations exposed that high-ranking political appointees within the Department of the Interior have rewritten numerous scientific documents to prevent the protection of several highly imperiled species under the Endangered Species Act.
• UCS participated in major panel discussions on scientific integrity solutions at the American Public Health Association meeting in November and the American Geophysical Union meeting in December.