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:
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- 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
Alaska Red King Crab Dethroned by Scientific Fraud
For 40 Years NOAA Inflated Population and Masked Disastrous Overfishing
BLOG | Supreme Court FOIA Decision and Official Candor
The recent Supreme Court decision makes government less transparent by shielding scientific conclusions from disclosure unless they are finally adopted by agency decision-makers.
PEERMail | Sunshine Week: Not Letting Our Guard Down
The fight for government transparency is reaffirmed each year during Sunshine Week, where we stand up for our rights to government information.
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
BLOG | Vilsack Pick Fails Scientific Integrity Test
Biden’s nominee for USDA Secretary, Tom Vilsack, had a dubious record on scientific integrity and ties to agri-business during his previous stint at USDA.
Vilsack’s Disturbing Suppression of USDA Science
His Biotech Advocacy Quashed Research Showing Adverse Effects
Statement | Biden Administration’s New Direction on Climate
Biden’s executive orders are the first steps to a rapid transition from fossil fuels and increased protections for our communities, public lands and oceans.
Op-Ed | Viewpoint: EPA Needs to Return to Its Public Health Roots
By returning to its public health roots, the EPA can begin to restore the public’s trust in its ability to protect both public health and the environment.
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
Greenhouse gases continue to rise to record levels driving global climate change, but one university is curtailing research by firing influential scientist.
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.
