Science in the Crosshairs: How Biden is Protecting the Integrity of Scientific Research

The Biden administration has been working tirelessly to "Trump-proof" science, ensuring that government scientists are shielded from political interference in their research and findings. This move is a direct response to the Trump administration's repeated attempts to suppress, downplay, or ignore scientific research that contradicts their political agenda. But what exactly does "Trump-proofing" science entail? According to Romany Webb, deputy director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, it involves "putting protections in place to shield government scientists from political interference." This includes establishing a scientific integrity council, codifying laws prohibiting political interference with scientific research, and using collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions to protect scientists and their work. The Trump administration's efforts to undermine science have been well-documented. The Silencing Science Tracker, an online database, has recorded over 300 instances of anti-science actions taken by local, state, and federal governments since November 2016. One of the most egregious examples is the Trump administration's attempt to reclassify career civil servants, non-partisan government scientists, and fire them at will if they didn't conform to his ideology. This effort, known as "Schedule F," would have created a new employment category and could have affected tens of thousands of federal employees.

The consequences of political interference in science are dire. "We come at this work with the understanding that all of our lives are dependent on federal agencies using the best available science," said Jennifer Jones, director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "We want to make sure that policy, rule making, and laws are informed by the best available science and that that science is communicated to the public." So, what can be done to protect scientific integrity? One option is for federal agencies to adopt interim scientific integrity policies, as the Environmental Protection Agency has done. Another path forward is for scientists to unionize and negotiate collective bargaining agreements that protect their rights and interests. Congress can also play a crucial role by passing the Scientific Integrity Act, which would set clear, enforceable standards for federal agencies and federally-funded research to keep public science independent from political and special interest meddling. As we move forward, it's essential to recognize that the integrity of scientific research is not a partisan issue. "For years we have been pushing for policies across administrations because the need to protect science and scientists is of utmost importance," said Jones. "We always watch every election very carefully. We know that our elected officials play a big role in shaping the use of science and the culture of science that any agency might adopt."

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