Scientists say facts skewed under Bush
Nobel winners part of group who allege distortion, suppression
By JAMES GLANZ, New York Times
First published: Thursday, February 19, 2004
More than 60 influential scientists, including 20 Nobel laureates, issued a
statement on Wednesday asserting that the Bush administration has
systematically distorted scientific fact in the service of policy goals on
the environment, health, biomedical research and nuclear weapons at home
and abroad.
The sweeping accusations were later discussed in a conference call
organized by the Union of Concerned Scientists, an independent organization
that focuses on technical issues and has often taken stands at odds with
administration policy. On Wednesday, the organization also issued a 38-page
report detailing its accusations.
The two documents accuse the administration of repeatedly censoring and
suppressing reports by its own scientists, stacking advisory committees
with unqualified political appointees, disbanding government panels that
provide unwanted advice, and refusing to seek independent scientific
expertise in some cases.
"Other administrations have, on occasion, engaged in such practices, but
not so systematically nor on so wide a front," the statement from the
scientists said, adding that they believe the administration had
"misrepresented scientific knowledge and misled the public about the
implications of its policies."
Dr. Kurt Gottfried, an emeritus professor of physics at Cornell University
who signed the statement and spoke during the conference call, said the
administration had "engaged in practices that are in conflict with the
spirit of science and the scientific method." Gottfried, who is also
chairman of the board of directors at the Union of Concerned Scientists,
asserted that the administration's "cavalier attitude towards science"
could place at risk the basis for the nation's long-term prosperity, health
and military prowess.
According to the report, the Bush administration has misrepresented
scientific consensus on global warming, censored at least one report on
climate change, manipulated scientific findings on the emissions of mercury
from power plants and suppressed information on condom use.
for the reminder of this story, see
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=220348
&category=NATIONAL&BCCode=&newsdate=2/19/2004
.
|
