On February 18, 2004, more than 60 leading scientists—including Nobel laureates, leading medical experts, former federal agency directors, and university chairs and presidents—issued a statement charging that the Bush administration has, among other abuses, suppressed and distorted scientific analysis from federal agencies, and taken actions that have undermined the quality of scientific advisory panels. The statement calls for regulatory and legislative action to restore scientific integrity in federal policymaking. (Read the NY Times article)

Through the scientist statement and call to action, the Union of Concerned Scientists is engaging scientists and citizens on this issue to demand change. Positive steps would include:

* Congressional oversight hearings to investigate and assess the allegations;

* Guaranteed public access to government scientific studies and to the findings of scientific advisory panels; and

* Action to re-establish an analytical capability within Congress that can provide independent guidance on scientific and technical aspects of public policy, along the lines of the former Office of Technology Assessment (OTA).