The role of science in our society is to ask questions, to facilitate free and open access to information, to provide facts and evidence that can guide and shape policy, and to contribute to the betterment of society through technological improvements. Scientific discoveries and innovations play a critical role in increasing our nation's living standards, ensuring our national security and improving our families' health and well being. From the development of new medications to technologies that make our environment cleaner and our lives safer, the application of scientific information is essential in guiding public policy decisions.
Yet to be effective, science depends on adherence to fundamental principles in its pursuit and application. These principles include objectivity, the use of rigorous research methods, transparency, and the disclosure of potential biases and real or perceived conflicts of interest.
In order to preserve the core values in science and science-based decision making, our nation's policies should uphold fundamental scientific principles and practices. We call upon the administration and Congress to make a commitment to policies that will support those principles.
These policies should:
* Ensure that scientific and health information and reports provided by the government are based on full and informed assessments of all relevant data, done in an independent manner, free of financial conflicts of interest.
* Ensure that scientists are not pressured to delay, suppress, or alter scientific or medical information that may be in conflict with the administration's political position, and are not penalized if they resist such pressure.
* Ensure that the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) is fully enforced, to make certain that scientific advisory committees are able to provide the highest quality independent scientific advice to the government, without political or ideological bias. Ensure that people who do not have adequate scientific qualifications are not appointed to scientific advisory positions.
* Safeguard against subjecting scientists to ideological or political litmus tests for advisory committees and civil service positions.
* Ensure that the president and Congress get scientific advice as early as possible in the decision making process, and that this is done in a transparent fashion.
* Ensure that the lack of complete certainty or irrefutable proof does not erode time-honored precautionary approaches to public health and environmental protections.
The suppression and distortion of scientific information erodes credibility and public trust in government, and may compromise the health and safety of Americans.
Signed by:
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