Scientific Integrity Under Attack

August 1, 2019

Dear PEER Members,

The Trump administration has taken its anti-science agenda to a whole new level.

Last week, PEER released an analysis of scientific integrity policies within the Federal government. These policies are supposed to encourage scientists to report research misconduct—but in the past several years, very few such reports were made, and of these almost none were investigated and even fewer sustained.

It is not surprising then that almost every day new stories break about the work of scientists under attack. Scientists working on environmental and public health issues are often harassed, reprimanded, demoted, or fired when their work contravenes political ideologies or threatens corporate interests.

The administration has even taken to physically moving agencies and departments with little notice, unilaterally rewriting union agreements, and mocking Congressional oversight – all in an effort to minimize, suppress, and marginalize voices that do not parrot the official line.

The number of government employees coming to us for help is greater than ever. They know that we will be there for them – fighting alternative facts, supporting science, and taking on some of the toughest environmental challenges facing the country today.

Stay tuned – the next few months we’ll be very busy. Thank you for your support. 

Sincerely, 
Tim Whitehouse
Executive Director

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