OSTP Calls for Comments on Scientific Integrity
Apr 23, 2009
On March 9th, President Obama issued a memorandum ordering the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Dr. John Holdren, to recommend a plan of action for maintaining scientific integrity within the executive branch.
OSTP's mission is to advise the White House on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs, and the agency has issued a call for public comment on the scientific intergrity memorandum.
Between now and May 13th, you are invited to share your recommendations with OSTP on the six different principles outlined by the President:
(a) The selection and retention of candidates for science and technology positions in the executive branch should be based on the candidate's knowledge, credentials, experience, and integrity;
(b) Each agency should have appropriate rules and procedures to ensure the integrity of the scientific process within the agency;
(c) When scientific or technological information is considered in policy decisions, the information should be subject to well-established scientific processes, including peer review where appropriate, and each agency should appropriately and accurately reflect that information in complying with and applying relevant statutory standards;
(d) Except for information that is properly restricted from disclosure under procedures established in accordance with statute, regulation, Executive Order, or Presidential Memorandum, each agency should make available to the public the scientific or technological findings or conclusions considered or relied on in policy decisions;
(e) Each agency should have in place procedures to identify and address instances in which the scientific process or the integrity of scientific and technological information may be compromised; and
(f) Each agency should adopt such additional procedures, including any appropriate whistleblower protections, as are necessary to ensure the integrity of scientific and technological information and processes on which the agency relies in its decisionmaking or otherwise uses or prepares.
Tags:
Barack Obama, John Holdren, OSTP, science, Tom Kalil, White House
