Maintaining Scientific Integrity
Public agency scientists are under growing political pressure to alter, dilute, or suppress their findings on issues of controversy. All too frequently, government leaders repudiate or interfere with the work of scientists when evidence supports policies that threaten powerful interests. This is especially true for those scientists working on environmental and public health issues, who must contend with:
- The suppression of science related to climate change and energy uses;
- Altering or disregarding environmental impact assessments;
- Interference in research and staff decisions;
- Retaliation for conclusion that are inconvenient to a political viewpoint or that expose scientific integrity abuses.
For each story in the news, scores of other instances are taking place behind the scenes in government laboratories, in grant review sessions, and in field stations across the country. On issues ranging from climate change to children’s health to pollution permits to land management issues, public agency scientists are being censored, obstructed, and marginalized.
PEER provides free, accessible, and completely confidential legal consultation and counsel to government scientists. We work to keep government science strong, independent, and transparent so that it can support effective decision-making.
NEWS FROM PEER
Vilsack’s Disturbing Suppression of USDA Science
His Biotech Advocacy Quashed Research Showing Adverse Effects
PEERMail | What’s Next On Scientific Integrity?
The influence of scientists in government has been gradually eroded over the last four decades as powerful economic interests asserted themselves
Vilsack Pick Fails Scientific Integrity Test
Vilsack Pick Fails Scientific Integrity Test On January 21, President Biden issued an extensive Executive Memorandum to department heads on the issue of scientific integrity. One federal agency that conducts much important scientific work is the U.S. Department of...
Vilsack’s Disturbing Suppression of USDA Science
His Biotech Advocacy Quashed Research Showing Adverse Effects
Statement | Biden Administration’s New Direction on Climate
These executive orders are the first steps to a rapid transition from fossil fuels and increased protections for our communities, public lands and oceans.
BLOG | The Dumpster Fire Presidency in Review
The Trump Administration went out of its way to violate “good government” laws and norms. Here’s a list of their worst “Dirty Dozen” abuses.
BLOG: Don’t Mention COVID-19 at NOAA
NOAA has informed its employees to avoid mentions of COVID-19 in publicly available documents as the hyper-political White House attempts to win reelection.
Allegations Against Climate Scientist Fall Apart
University of Colorado Bureaucratic Infighting Disrupts Climate Research
PEERMail: Climate Change Intensifies While University Stifles Research
This year is on track to be among the hottest on record as the levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere continue to rise to record levels yet universities like University of Colorado-Boulder are caving to oil and gas industry pressure and firing climate scientists like Dr. Detlev Helmig.
Arctic Climate Research Imperiled
University of Colorado Scientists Targeted by Oil Industry Removed
BLOG: Opposing the EPA Plan to Restrict Science
The new EPA plan to restrict science is subject to the interests of political appointees and is not based on exisitng scientific integrity standards.
Questionable Termination Undermines Climate Science
University of Colorado-Boulder Serves Oil and Gas Special Interests
Losing Our Voice: The Attack on Public Health Science
Politicians are leading our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts and scienists, sidelined and ignored, have lost their voices.
Jonathan Lundgren, Former USDA Entomologist: A Bee Expert With His Integrity Intact
When USDA’s research arm tried to stifle his research on the effects of pesticides on honey bees and the environment, Jonathan Lundgren fought back with PEER’s help.
EPA Political Appointees Violate Science Integrity Rules
Complaint Details HQ Systematically Sidelining Science in WOTUS Review
CDC’s Top Climate Scientist Back In Hot Water
Centers Suppress Climate Lead for Drawing Congressional Oversight
PEERMail: Scientific Integrity Under Attack
The Trump administration has taken its anti-science agenda to a whole new level.
Autopsy On Act Of Scientific Suppression
Identity of Who Ordered Halt on Mountain-Top Mining Study Still a Mystery
Scientific Integrity Policies Now Dead Letters
Few Complaints Filed Inside Interior and None Sustained Since 2015
The Trump Administration’s War on Climate Science
The Trump administration’s pro-industry, anti-science agenda has undermined the work of every federal agency that conducts climate science and has a broad chilling effect on agency personnel.
Undisclosed Statements of Scientific Concern: ANWR Drilling
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