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
EPA Science Integrity Program Is Beacon of False Hope
No Findings of Political Interference under Trump; Most Complaints Ignored
COMMENTARY | EPA’s Myth of Scientific Integrity
The EPA keeps paying lip service to scientific integrity but reality, and the experiences of scientists at EPA, is a completely different story.
PEERMail | Propping Up Science In Government
Strong reliable government science can only be achieved with meaningful reforms and scientists who are protected in their work.
EPA Scientist Survey Yields Horrific Results
Scientist Feedback Scathing, Not Shared with Staff
Biden Scientific Integrity Initiative in Limbo
Leaderless OSTP Poised to Make Same Mistakes It Did under Obama
Lack of Scientists Dooms EPA Chemical Reviews
Crippling Staff Shortage in Chemical Safety Work Continues in 2022 Budget
COMMENTARY | Scientific Integrity’s Central Conundrum
The issues with Dr. Lander’s tenure in the White House are a symptom of a large problem with scientific integrity and research in federal government.
Biden’s Scientific Integrity Task Force Not Up to the Task
Overdue Report Admits Systemic Problems but Lacks Any Specific Remedies
COMMENTARY | Curing EPA’s Culture of Corruption
Instead of wasting resources to stamp out dissent, EPA needs to clean up corruption in its management chain.
EPA Employees Pan State of Scientific Integrity
Many in New Survey Report Misconduct, Retaliation, and Feelings of Futility
EPA Science Integrity Program Is Beacon of False Hope
No Findings of Political Interference under Trump; Most Complaints Ignored
EPA Illegally Destroying Internal Records
Assessments and Comments Routinely Overwritten, Obliterating Drafts
EPA Chemical Reviews Corrupted by Industry Influence
Zero Chemicals Disapproved in Thoroughly Broken Risk Assessment Process
Reform Task Force Ignores Burgeoning Scientific Scandals
Scientific Integrity Review Eschews Scientist Interviews and Case Analyses
Scientific Transparency Policies Should Be Uniform
Agency-by-Agency Approach Undercuts Press Access and Freedom to Publish
EPA Risk Assessments Doctored to Mask Hazards
Managers Remove Elements of Risk without Analysts’ Knowledge or Consent
Scientific Misconduct Carries No Penalties
Scientific Integrity Policies Do Not Protect Scientists or Punish Manipulators
How Interior Sabotaged Its Scientific Integrity Policy
Political Appointees Enjoy Immunity for Skewing or Suppressing Science
PEERMail | Stories on Scientific Integrity
Engaging the Biden Administration on scientific integrity means more than focusing on Trump Administration abuses.
Can Biden Science Task Force Break Old Bad Habits?
Many Worked for Years in Failed System without a Peep of Protest
Alaska Red King Crab Dethroned by Scientific Fraud
For 40 Years NOAA Inflated Population and Masked Disastrous Overfishing