According to an article in the Los Angeles Times yesterday, a survey finds that more than 200 Fish and Wildlife researchers cite cases where conclusions were reversed to weaken protection and favor business. Lexi Shultz of the Union of Concerned Scientists said"The pressure to alter scientific reports for political reasons has become pervasiveat Fish and Wildlife offices around the country." Biologist Sally Stefferud said she had been ordered to change a finding on a biological opinion. "Political pressures influence the outcome of almost all cases. As a scientist, I would probably say you really can't trust the science coming out of the agency," she said.
Further survey comments --
A biologist in Alaska wrote in response to the survey: "It is one thing for the department to dismiss our recommendations, it is another to be forced (under veiled threat of removal) to say something that is counter to our best professional judgment."
"For biologists who do endangered species analysis, my experience is that the majority of them are ordered to reverse their conclusions[if they favor listing]. There are other biologists who will do it if you won't," said the biologist, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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