Report Shows FWS Scientists Feel Political Interference

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has released a report on scientific integrity at the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report was conducted in response to the recent implementation of scientific integrity policies at many federal agencies. The survey results lead UCS to conclude that the ability for scientists to effectively conduct their work without outside interference has in general increased, but that there is room for more improvement. This was especially evident in the survey results submitted by FWS scientists, 73% of which responded that the level of consideration of political interests was “too high.” About 60% of FWS respondents also submitted that the agency “occasionally”, “seldom”, or “never” collects scientific monitoring information to the extent needed to meet its mission effectively.

Read the full Union of Concerned Scientists report.