The Union of Concerned Scientists, growing impatient, criticizes the Obama administration for taking too long on needed reforms. The director from the group's scientific integrity program, Francesca Grifo, notes that President Obama promised as a candidate to end political interference with science. But, more than a year after his inauguration, the scientific reasons for particular policies still aren't made clear to the public, and scientists still aren't necessarily allowed to talk about their research results.
Grifo points to progress at some agencies, but says Obama hasn't designed an overarching policy:
A report released last week by George Washington University found that scientists face difficulties in disseminating their work, are not always able to speak freely with the public and press, and are blocked from sharing data with colleagues at other agencies. The report documents that federal scientists have seen little systemic change since the Obama administration took office.
-- Monica Potts
