Union of Concerned Scientists releases disturbing survey of FDA scientists

UCS recently released new data showing that scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are concerned about the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission—protecting public health.

This new evidence makes it clear that the stakes are high and that we need to stop political appointees from distorting and censoring scientific findings. That’s why we have extended the deadline for matching all contributions from UCS supporters to expand our critical work on scientific integrity.

The results of the UCS survey of FDA scientists paints a picture of a troubled agency. Hundreds of scientists reported significant interference with the FDA’s work. For example:

• Almost one in five scientists surveyed responded, “I have been asked, for non-scientific reasons, to inappropriately exclude or alter technical information or my conclusions in an FDA scientific document.”
• Less than half think that the “FDA routinely provides complete and accurate information to the public.”
• 40 percent said they could not publicly express “concerns about public health without fear of retaliation.”

Unfortunately, the FDA is not the only government agency suffering from political interference in science. That’s why UCS is taking a leadership role to expose and challenge political meddling in government science and to push federal agencies and Congress to implement needed reforms that will protect scientific integrity.

Click this contribute to the UCS “Save the Science” campaign.