UCS released a report in February detailing numerous cases of manipulation, distortion, and suppression of scientific information within government agencies. The White House dismissed the concerns raised in the report and has continued operating as before. UCS blames this denial for the significant increase of interest in the scientific community.
The new cases involve issues ranging from mountaintop removal strip mining to endangered species. The evidence also exposes significant political interference with independent scientific advisory panels, most notably at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Department of Health and Human Services.
UCS outlines measures that could mitigate the problems and begin to correct the situation, including:
- Whistleblower protection of government scientists;
- Restoring independent scientific advice to Congress, possibly within GAO;
- Greater oversight powers for the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
- Stricter enforcement of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) with increased transparency for selection and activities of advisory committees; and
- Full access to government scientific analysis that isn't legitimately classified for national security reasons.