alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists, Director of Strategy and Policy, 1707 H Street, NW, Washington, DC, DC 20006, 202-223-6133, Ext. 127, ameyer@ucsusa.org

Recently, over 4,000 scientists, including Nobel laureates, National Medal of Science recipients, and leading medical researchers, spoke out against the scientific practices of the Bush administration. The Bush administration has appointed individuals to advisory committees with weak credentials because of their conservative ideological leanings or corporate ties. In addition, these scientists contend that the administration has censored and distorted scientific research to further its political agenda, including altering web sites and other publicly available scientific information that is not in line with the policies of the Bush administration. This group includes many scientists who have advised past Republican administrations and they say that the manipulation of science for political purposes is worse under the Bush Administration than at any other time in modern history.

Learning Objectives:

• • Understand the broader implications for public health of the findings of the 2004 Union of Concerned Scientists report.
• • Learn about recent findings from focus groups and a national poll about how these issues resonate with the American people

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.