Wildlife biologists told not to use genetics
Somebody described Star Wars as 'Space Opera'. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just think of politics that way, as grand theater, a Wagnerian Opera, a Greek tragedy. This approach would maximise entertainment and minimize the psychological impact of policies created by boneheaded ideologues.Click here for the full article:
Biologists Ordered to Ignore Genetics of Endangered Species
New Fish & Wildlife Service Edict Sparks Internal Protests Over Censoring Science
WASHINGTON -- May 24 -- A new U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service policy forbidding its biologists from using wildlife genetics to protect and aid recovery of endangered and threatened species has set off a firestorm of criticism both inside and outside the agency.
posted by Matt_J @ 9:23 AM
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Here are excerpts from an article summarizing a survey of scientists working at the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Full article at:
http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=474
POLITICS TRUMPS SCIENCE AT U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
-Political intervention to alter scientific results has become pervasive within the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), according to a survey of its scientists released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).
-More than half of all respondents (56%) reported cases where “commercial interests have inappropriately induced the reversal or withdrawal of scientific conclusions or decisions through political intervention.
-More than a third (42%) said they could not openly express “concerns about the biological needs of species and habitats without fear of retaliation”
-Almost a third (32%) felt they are not allowed to do their jobs as scientists.
-'We are not allowed to be honest and forthright, we are expected to rubber stamp everything. I have 20 years of federal service in this and this is the worst it has ever been.'
-'The survey results illustrate an alarming disregard for scientific facts among political appointees entrusted to protect threatened and endangered species,” said UCS Washington Representative Lexi Shultz. “Employing scientists only to undermine their findings is at best a mismanagement of public resources and at worst a serious betrayal of the public trust.”
-Recently, [Department of Interior] officials have forced changes in Service documents, and worse, they have forced upper-level managers to say things that are incorrect
-'There is a culture of fear of retaliation in mid-level management. If the manager were to speak out for resources, they fear loss of jobs or funding for their programs.”
Do these statements show sound management of tax dollars?
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