Take action: Defend science from politics

Ever since the Bush administration took office seven long years ago, it has been manipulating, suppressing, and distorting science to fit its own corporate and ideological agendas.

Now the Union of Concerned Scientists wants to ensure that this nonsense is not carried forward with the next administration.

You can help.

Below is some background info and a call to action from the Scientific Integrity Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists:

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[Please] take just five minutes to defend science from political interference.

In February 2004, 62 leading scientists -- including many Nobel laureates and former presidential science advisors dating back fifty years -- issued a statement to bring attention to the Bush administration's manipulation, suppression, and distortion of science. In the years since, more than 12,000 scientists from all fifty states have endorsed the statement. A complimentary citizens' call-to-action, which echoes the scientists' concerns, has earned support from tens of thousands of non-scientists.

We know that the misuse of science won't end unless the next administration understands the importance of independent science to informed decisions about our health, safety, and environment. That's why we're kicking off 2008 by shifting the focus from the misdeeds of this administration to the responsibilities of the next one.

Here's how you can help:

• If you're a scientist, engineer, or advanced health professional, please sign the scientist statement on scientific integrity today.

• If you're a non-scientist, you can still help! Sign the citizens' call-to-action.

We'll be using both documents to encourage presidential candidates to commit to restoring scientific integrity to federal policy making. Your last chance to sign the scientist statement on scientific integrity or the citizens' call-to-action is January 25, 2008.

Once you’re done, please tell your friends and colleagues about this last chance opportunity—scientists and non-scientists alike.

Science has been misused on issues as diverse as global warming, childhood lead poisoning, prescription drug safety, endangered species, and air pollution. The scientist statement and the citizens' call-to-action have put the problem of political interference in science on the public radar -- and have served as the foundation of our efforts to restore scientific integrity to federal policy making. Now it's time to look toward the next administration.

Please help us start off the new year on the right foot by signing the scientist statement on scientific integrity or the citizens' call-to-action. Remember, the deadline for signing is January 25, 2008.

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