A New Push for Scientific Integrity Across Government
Seven days after his inauguration, President Biden issued a memorandum declaring, “It is the policy of my Administration to make evidence-based decisions guided by the best available science and data,” requiring sweeping review and implementation of science-based policies and practices across the executive branch.
Last week on FEDtalk, James Heelan welcomed Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Chief Scientist, to deliver an address about USDA’s work to ensure the integrity of its science. Dr. Jacobs-Young’s address was followed by a discussion with USDA Scientific Integrity Officer Dr. William Trenkle and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Senior Scientist Dr. Jacob Carter.
The show opened with Dr. Jacobs-Young’s address on the importance of reliable, objective scientific research at the heart of USDA’s work. She then discussed President Biden’s executive action on scientific integrity and how USDA is working to implement the memorandum.
Dr. Trenkle and Dr. Carter provided reactions to Dr. Jacobs-Young’s address and described their perspectives on the evolution of federal agency scientific integrity work. Dr. Trenkle joined USDA in January 2018, and has seen new emphasis on listening to scientists and protecting whistleblowers. He also explained the inter-agency task force process for reviewing scientific integrity policies across government and releasing recommendations.
Dr. Carter said the Biden administration’s new emphasis on scientific integrity is a move in the “right direction.” He referenced a UCS survey from 2018 that identified concerns from federal scientists that they were being censored and subjected to political interference. Dr. Carter said the current 120-day period for the task force to issue “best practice” recommendations is ambitious, but doable.
The guests then discussed how the President Biden’s memorandum may impact agencies and agency components whose work is not expressly scientific in nature. Dr. Trenkle stressed the outreach his office is doing within the USDA. Dr. Carter encouraged federal agencies like USDA, who are experienced in developing scientific integrity policies and regulations, to serve as resources to other federal agencies with little to no experience in the area.
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