| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"johac" |
| Date: |
22 Jul 2006 03:29:21 AM |
| Object: |
OT: Survey Finds FDA Scientists Asked to Lie |
You can download a PDF file of the report at the site.
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Survey Finds FDA Scientists Asked to Lie about Results to Promote
Agendas. Maybe Stem Cell Funding Wouldn't Have Helped Anyway
Submitted by BuzzFlash on Fri, 07/21/2006 - 11:21am. Alerts
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
A report issued yesterday by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) found that many
FDA scientists are asked to lie about their work and to inappropriately
alter their research. Pressure often comes from political appointees or
commercial interests.The study was based on 997 survey responses from
workers, most of whom are in senior positions.
In addition to integrity concerns, several scientists also complained
about the agency's inability to meet its responsibilities and about
worker conditions in general. "The focus should truly be on protecting
public health instead of catering to the interest of industryŠ FDA
leadership should let FDA scientists do the jobs they were hired to do,"
one scientist wrote.
"Science must be the driving force for decisions made at the FDA. These
disturbing survey results make it clear that inappropriate interference
is putting people in harm's way," said Dr. Francesca Grifo, Senior
Scientist and Director of UCS's Scientific Integrity Program. "FDA
leaders should act now to improve transparency and accountability and
renew respect for independent science at the agency."
In response to the study, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) wrote a letter today
to Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt urging action to
address the problem. "Steps must be taken to halt inappropriate
political intrusion into FDA decision making and reverse the decline in
FDA's morale and effectiveness," Waxman said.
Highlights from the study:
* 18% were asked to inappropriately exclude or alter technical
information or conclusions for non-scientific reasons
* 61% knew of cases when political appointees inappropriately
injected themselves into FDA determinations
* 60% knew of cases where commercial interests intervened or
attempted to inappropriately intervene
* 20% were asked to provide misleading information to the public,
media, or government officials
* 40% can't publicly express concerns without fear of retaliation
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http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/87
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
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