Free and Open Inquiry

Mar 9th, 2009 • Posted in: What They're Saying

“Promoting science isn’t just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry. It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it’s inconvenient — especially when it’s inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.”

– President Barack Obama, speaking on Monday about the importance of scientific independence and promising a series of efforts designed to insulate U.S. scientific research from political ideology. Obama was talking shortly after reversing a Bush-era ban on federal funding for stem-cell research, which anti-abortion critics contend is unethical since it often involves the destruction of embryos.

Obama also signed a memorandum on Monday meant to begin the process of ensuring that his administration “bases its decision on sound science; appoints scientific advisers based on their credentials, not their politics; and is honest about the science behind its decisions” — a repudiation of the Bush White House, which was criticized widely for suppressing scientific findings and scientists’ work that didn’t comport with policy objectives — reports the Associated Press.

Source: AP, Mar. 9.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, Mar. 9 — Related Newsline story, Feb. 2 — Related Newsline story, July 16, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Oct. 2, 2006 — Related Newsline story, June 13, 2005 — Related Newsline story, Feb. 7, 2005 — Related Newsline story, Dec. 6, 2004 — Related Newsline story, Mar. 22, 2004 — Related Newsline story, Feb. 23, 2004 — Related Newsline story, Dec. 22, 2003 — Related Newsline story, June 23, 2003 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 6, 2003 — Related Newsline story, Sep. 23, 2002.

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2 Responses »

1. Ethics Newsline® » Research Report » “Majority of Americans Likely Support Stem Cell Decision” on March 16th, 2009 at 7:10 pm:

   [...] more information, see: Related Newsline story, Mar. 9 — Related Newsline story, Mar. 9.  Print This Story  Email This [...]

2. Ethics Newsline® » What They're Saying » Suppress That Information on April 27th, 2009 at 6:35 pm:

   [...] more information, see: Related Newsline story, Mar. 9 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 29, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 8, [...]

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