Fighting for Scientific Integrity and the Protection of Scientists
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.
Academic Freedom In New York
Dr. David Carpenter, a long tenured professor and the founding Dean of the University at Albany’s School of Public Health, had been forbidden from teaching and barred from coming to campus by university administrators on the grounds that he was the subject of an ongoing investigation.
Dr. Carpenter’s longtime public interest work and testimony in numerous lawsuits aiming to impose restrictions on human exposure to harmful chemicals and to compensate the injured have drawn the ire of the chemical industry, specifically Monsanto. Watch the Video »
First Biden Scientific Integrity Policy Falls Well Short
Timid Health & Human Services Proposal Will Not Prevent Trump Abuses
NEWS FROM PEER
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
Op-Ed | Reversing Scientific Integrity’s Race to the Bottom
Biden’s order to review federal agencies’ scientific integrity policies must include certain provisions to work – suppression of science is a major problem.
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.
Fraud Charged in EPA Pesticide Risk Assessment
Downgrade of Fumigant Cancer-Potential Due to Pervasive Misconduct
EPA Scientists Sound Alarm on Chemical Assessments
Agency’s Toxic Internal Chemistry Reflected in New Employee Survey
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.