Dear Editor,
As a scientist and former science teacher, I’ve taken umbrage
the past six years over the Bush administration’s interference in
the autonomy of science research and education.
Dear Editor,
As a scientist and former science teacher, I’ve taken umbrage the past six years over the Bush administration’s interference in the autonomy of science research and education. Fortunately for America, centrist voters had enough, and within a couple months dramatic changes will take place in the Committee on Science and Technology as Democrats will recast the players.
A position paper signed by 60 noted scientists including 20 Nobel Prize winners and 19 recipients of the National Medal of Science are calling on the government for an independent Congressional investigation on federal science advisory policies. Following are samples of Bush’s coordinated attack on science:
n Removed highly qualified scientists from lead-poisoning, environment, health and drug-abuse panels and replaced them with industry representatives.
n Modified National Cancer Institute research data to suggest a link between abortion and breast cancer when no link was ever reported.
n Removed from the CDC’s Web site proper condom use and how condom use does not promote sexual activity, and replaced it with condom failure and abstinence though no scientific data supports its effectiveness.
n Removed EPA mercury emission standards and replaced them with language developed by power plant industry lawyers.
n Modified the EPA’s annual air pollution report by deleting a five-year study on climate that was unacceptable to policy makers.
n Stated that intelligent design should be taught with biological evolution.
Renowned Princeton University scientist Michael Oppenheimer stated, “If you believe in a rational universe, in enlightenment, in knowledge and in a search for the truth, this White House is an absolute disaster.” Years ago, former President George H.W. Bush stated that “now more than ever, on issues ranging from climate change to AIDS research … government relies on the impartial perspective of science for guidance.” Once again the son doesn’t listen to the father.
Religious doctrine dictates that answers are to be found to fit one’s belief system. The Bush administration plies this doctrine as party line, working scientific data to suit its own policy.
Dale Morejón, Gilroy
