Fighting for Scientific Integrity and the
Protection of Scientists
Government scientists are often under political pressure to alter, dilute, or suppress their findings on issues of controversy. All too frequently, government leaders interfere with the work of scientists that threaten powerful interests. This is especially true for scientists working on environmental and public health issues, who must contend with:
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- Alteration or disregard of environmental assessments;
- Interference in research and staffing decisions; and,
- Retaliation for conclusions that are inconvenient to a political viewpoint or that expose scientific integrity abuses.
For each story in the news about political interference in science, scores of other instances are taking place behind the scenes in government laboratories, grant review sessions, and field stations across the country.
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.
Are you a government scientist in need of advice? Contact us. PEER offers many forms of assistance to scientists and is one of the only organizations in the country to assist government employees in filing scientific integrity complaints, complaints with Inspectors General, and in other forums.
LEARN MORE
Defending Academic Freedom
Listen to the story of Dr. David Carpenter, a long-tenured professor who PEER represented when his University placed restrictions on his work after it drew negative attention from Monsanto. Learn more»
Representing Government Scientists
PEER regularly represents government scientists like Jonathan Lundgren, PhD, a former USDA scientist whose agency prioritized “Big Ag” over his research. He shares how PEER helped him protect the integrity of his scientific work. Learn more»

Strengthening Scientific Integrity
Strong scientific integrity policies are crucial to protect the work of scientists within the federal government. PEER organized a sign on letter urging the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to strengthen its model policy, Learn more»
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A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS
Here are some examples of how PEER has made a difference:
- Advised a major federal union on strengthening scientific integrity policies, resulting in the first union provision protecting scientific integrity in a collective bargaining agreement.
- Successfully represented a leading wolf expert in resolving an academic freedom complaint after his work came under attack from the livestock industry.
- Filed an Inspector General complaint that EPA had downplayed the cancer risks of a common soil fumigant and nematicide, which the IG later confirmed.
- Fought against gag rules in scientific integrity policies that limit government scientists’ ability to speak on policy issues.
PEER’S PERSPECTIVE
New Integrity Rules Differ on Allowable Scientist Speech
READ MORE NEWS ON SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY
Federal Managers Nailed for Aiding Polluter
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Leadership Yet to Remedy Scientific Misconduct
From Wolves to Beetles – Fish & Wildlife Science Tarnished
Service Manufactures Scientific Studies to Support Politically Negotiated Deals
Senior Officials Skewed Science to Benefit Xl Pipeline
Reports Find Strong-Arm Tactics to Squelch Dissent and Create Phony Paper Trail
Vindicated Arctic Scientist Retires With Cash Settlement
$100,000 Payment and Belated Secretary’s Award Resolves Whistleblower Complaint
Gray Wolf Peer Review Panel Purged by Agency
Fish & Wildlife Service Forces Contractor to Axe Scientists Due to Sign-On Letter
Federal Scientific Integrity Policies Missing and Mediocre
Several Agencies Still Yet to Finalize While Others Field Weak or Incomplete Policies
Wolf Delisting Scientific Shell Game Begins
Contract for Quick Limited Peer Review Designed to Give Illusion of Impartiality
Reclamation Lifts Removal Threat Against Klamath Biologists
Rare Apology Coupled with Promise of More Collaborative & Transparent Posture