How to test if science is free from politics - Big Big Forums

Jolie Rouge · 03-09-2009, 02:31 PM

How to test if science is free from politics

With great fanfare, President Obama has issued a "presidential memorandum aimed at insulating scientific decisions across the federal government from political influence." There will be, of course, an acid test of the honesty in the application of President Obama's new directive: Whether scientists who question the prevailing dogma regarding anthropogenic climate change and who propose to test its key findings can get federal money to do their work. If not, you will know that this directive is just politicizing science in the opposite direction.

By TigerHawk at 3/09/2009 10:10:00 AM
http://tigerhawk.blogspot.com/2009/0...free-from.html

Obama Aims to Shield Science From Politics
Memo to Accompany Stem Cell Action
By Rob Stein - Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 9, 2009; Page A02

When President Obama lifts restrictions on funding for human embryonic stem cell research today, he will also issue a presidential memorandum aimed at insulating scientific decisions across the federal government from political influence, officials said yesterday.

"The president believes that it's particularly important to sign this memorandum so that we can put science and technology back at the heart of pursuing a broad range of national goals," Melody C. Barnes, director of Obama's Domestic Policy Council, told reporters during a telephone briefing yesterday.

Although officials would not go into details, the memorandum will order the Office of Science and Technology Policy to "assure a number of effective standards and practices that will help our society feel that we have the highest-quality individuals carrying out scientific jobs and that information is shared with the public," said Harold Varmus, who co-chairs Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

The decision by President George W. Bush to restrict funding for stem cell research has been seen by critics as part of a pattern of allowing political ideology to influence scientific decisions across an array of issues, including climate change and whether to approve the morning-after pill Plan B for over-the-counter sales.

"We view what happened with stem cell research in the last administration as one manifestation of failure to think carefully about how federal support of science and the use of scientific advice occurs," Varmus said. "This is consistent with the president's determination to use sound scientific practice, responsible practice of science and evidence, instead of dogma in developing federal policy."

The memorandum will ensure that "people who are appointed to federal positions in science have strong credentials and that the vetting process for evaluating scientific information doesn't lead to any undermining of the scientific opinion," he said.

The stem cell executive order will overturn a restriction Bush put in place on Aug. 9, 2001, limiting federal funding to what turned out to be 21 cell lines already in existence on that date.

Because of their ability to become any type of cell in the body, many scientists believe human embryonic stem cells could lead to new therapies for many diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease and paralysis. But the research is highly controversial because the cells are obtained by destroying embryos, which some consider to be immoral.

On Friday, officials confirmed that Obama would fulfill a longtime promise to lift those restrictions today, thrilling supporters but stirring intense criticism from opponents, who argue that there are alternative approaches free from ethical concerns.

As supporters had hoped, Obama's order will come without any caveats and leave the details to be worked out by the National Institutes of Health, which will have 120 days to develop guidelines that will be used to vet requests for federal funding for research. The guidelines will address a host of thorny ethical issues raised by such research, such as how to obtain proper consent from donors of embryos used to obtain the cells. "As a result of lifting those limitations, the president is in effect allowing federal funding of embryonic stem research to the extent it's permitted by federal law -- that is work with stem cells themselves, not the derivation of those stem cells," Varmus said.

Obama does not intend to call for the repeal of the Dickey-Wicker amendment, which bars the use of federal funds to conduct research on embryos directly. "Congress will have to make a determination about how they want to deal with that," Barnes said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...030801476.html

Jolie Rouge · 03-09-2009, 02:34 PM

Obama overturns Bush policy on stem cells
By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer
15 mins ago

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Monday cleared the way for a significant increase in federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research and promised no scientific data will be "distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda."

Obama signed the executive order on the divisive stem cell issue and a memo addressing what he called scientific integrity before an East Room audience packed with scientists. He laced his remarks with several jabs at the way science was handled by former President George W. Bush.

"Promoting science isn't just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry," Obama said. "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."

He said his memorandum is meant to restore "scientific integrity to government decision-making." He called it the beginning of a process of ensuring 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.

Fulfilling a campaign promise, Obama signed the order that on stem cell research that supporters believe could uncover cures for serious ailments from diabetes to paralysis. Proponents from former first lady Nancy Reagan to the late actor Christopher Reeve had pushed for ending the restrictions on research.

Obama paid tribute to Reeve, calling him a tireless advocate who was dedicated to raising awareness to the promise of research.

Obama's action reverses Bush's stem cell policy by undoing his 2001 directive that banned federal funding for research into stem lines created after Aug. 9, 2001.

The president said his administration would work aggressively to make up for the ground he said was lost due to Bush's decision, though it can't be known how much more federal money will be spent on the research until grants are applied for and issued.

"Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," Obama declared.

Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can morph into any cell of the body. Scientists hope to harness them so they can create replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases — such as new insulin-producing cells for diabetics, cells that could help those with Parkinson's disease or maybe even Alzheimer's, or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, criticized Obama, saying in a statement that the president had "rolled back important protections for innocent life, further dividing our nation at a time when we need greater unity to tackle the challenges before us."

Bush limited the use of taxpayer money to only the 21 stem cell lines that had been produced before his decision. He argued he was defending human life because days-old embryos — although typically from fertility clinics and already destined for destruction — are destroyed to create the stem cell lines.

The Obama order reverses that without addressing a separate legislative ban, which precludes any federal money for the development of stem cell lines. The legislation, however, does not prevent funds for research on those lines created without federal funding.

Researchers say the newer lines created with private money during the period of the Bush ban are healthier and better suited to creating treatment for diseases.

Obama called his decision a "difficult and delicate balance," an understatement of the intense emotions generated on both sides of the long, contentious debate. He said he came down on the side of the majority of Americans who support increased federal funding for the research, both because strict oversight would prevent problems and because of the great and lifesaving potential it holds. "Rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said. "In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering."

Obama warned against overstating the eventual benefits of the research, but he said his administration "will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research," taking another slap at Bush in the process. "I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek. No president can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek them actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground," he said.

It's a matter of competitive advantage globally as well, the president argued. "When government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed. Promising avenues go unexplored," Obama said.

But the president was insistent that his order would not open the door to human cloning. "We will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse," Obama said. "And we will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090309/...ama_stem_cells

Jolie Rouge · 03-09-2009, 02:37 PM

Cantor Calls Embryonic Stem Cell Reverals A “Distraction”
Posted on March 9, 2009

http://www.stoptheaclu.com/archives/...a-distraction/

Yesterday, Dan Riehl wrote that Republicans should get off their duffs and stop playing defense : http://www.riehlworldview.com/carniv...publicans.html

Quote:

GPW wonders about Democrat's tactics: http://www.gaypatriot.net/2009/03/07...ions-policies/

Quote:

Why is it they believe they can best advance their argument not by taking apart their opponent’s case, but by taking that opponent apart (or defining someone as their opponent so as to eviscerate him)?

You don't have to take apart someone's case if it's never really heard. Democrats employ it more as a tactic of distraction than of debate. To the extent it shoots any messenger for the other side is just icing on the cake.

As for Republicans, they are so damned dumb and undisciplined when it comes to messaging, one or more of them always falls into the trap and gets their fifteen minutes of fame and shame looking like the idiots they are.

If they had the intelligence and discipline to side-step things like the Limbaugh attack they might have a prayer. Instead of engaging it, they should come back with, This is simply the Democrats trying to prevent a discussion of how much their programs will cost, how much taxes are going to go up, and why you don't re-build health care, energy and fundamental economic policy during a financial crisis.

But as a group, the current crop of Republicans remain rather useless in this regard. The few smart ones never even get heard because so many other idiots have Schumer's disease and can't stay away from a microphone, even when they have so little of value to say.

He got his wish

Quote:

A top congressional Republican on Sunday criticized President Barack Obama’s expected decision to reverse the Bush administration’s limits on embryonic stem-cell research, calling it a distraction from the country’s economic slump.

“Why are we going and distracting ourselves from the economy? This is job No. 1. Let’s focus on what needs to be done,” Rep. Eric Cantor, the Republican whip in the House of Representatives, told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Really, that is all fake hoopla about reversing Bush on ESCs is: a distracton and a bone thrown to the far left who think the research will solve all Man’s ills. Of course, the teratomas associated with ESC research might be a hinderance. But, check this out

Quote:

Obama’s move, scheduled for Monday morning, is part of a broader effort to separate science and politics and “restore scientific integrity in governmental decision-making,” White House domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes said Sunday.

What’s the expiration date on that pledge? Well, we could say it ended the minute Obama ends the restrictions on using federal money for ESC research, since the only folks truly interested in doing the research feed at the federal trough. Private researchers aren’t interested. And let’s not forget that Barry wants all sorts of AGW legislation, including cap and trade. Sure seems to be mixing science and politics, eh?

Jolie Rouge · 03-10-2009, 01:22 AM

March 09, 2009
Oh To Be On Yucca Mountain...

The WaPo and NY Times laud Obama's bold stance separating science from politics but overlook his Yucca Mountain chicanery. Headlines, please:

Obama Aims to Shield Science From Politics
Memo to Accompany Stem Cell Action

and:

Obama Lifts Bush’s Strict Limits on Stem Cell Research

Quote:

WASHINGTON — Pledging that his administration will “make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology,” President Obama on Monday lifted the Bush administration’s strict limits on human embryonic stem cell research.

Obama lauds his own bold stance, too:

Quote:

That is why today, I am also signing a Presidential Memorandum directing the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision making. To ensure that in this new Administration, we base our public policies on the soundest science; that we appoint scientific advisors based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology; and that we are open and honest with the American people about the science behind our decisions. That is how we will harness the power of science to achieve our goals – to preserve our environment and protect our national security; to create the jobs of the future, and live longer, healthier lives.

What a guy!

Yet it seems like only yesterday the Times reported that Obama was plotting with Sen. Harry Reid to cut off funding that would have answered questions as to whether Yucca Mountain would be a suitable repository for our nation's nuclear waste: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/sc...pagewanted=all See also : http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/n...inline=nyt-geo

Quote:

WASHINGTON — President Obama’s proposed budget cuts off most money for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project, a decision that fulfills a campaign promise and wins the president political points in Nevada — but raises new questions about what to do with radioactive waste from the nation’s nuclear power plants.

...

Mr. Reid does not appear to have the votes to kill the Yucca Mountain depository entirely, because many members of Congress want to stick with the consensus they achieved two decades ago to bury the waste there. If Congress changes the law that designates Yucca Mountain as the prime candidate, said Edward F. Sproat III, who was the Energy Department official in charge of the depository project for the last two and a half years of the Bush administration, “everybody knows their state is going to be back in play.”

The site’s suitability is supposed to be established in hearings by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which must decide whether to license the repository. Now, the Obama administration is proposing to provide only enough money that project officials can answer questions from the hearings. Eliot Brenner, a commission spokesman, said the hearings would proceed.

Here is how Obama pandered to Nevadans during the campaign: http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/7598337.html

Quote:

After spending billions of dollars on the Yucca Mountain Project, there are still significant questions about whether nuclear waste can be safely stored there. I believe a better short-term solution is to store nuclear waste on-site at the reactors where it is produced, or at a designated facility in the state where it is produced, until we find a safe, long-term disposal solution that is based on sound science.

Uh huh - a disposal solution based on sound science that Obama won't fund. In another Administration folks would detect the mixing of politics and science. Since libs are (mostly) comfortable trashing nuclear power, this will be ignored. And the nation will try to cut our oil imports and greenhouse gas emissions without nuclear power. Scientifically!

[END OF ELEVATING POLITICS OVER SCIENCE]
http://justoneminute.typepad.com/mai...-mountain.html

janelle · 03-10-2009, 03:52 AM

But I thought he said no cloning would be allowed. If you want it to be politically free you can't say that. Saying two things at the same time. Guess we better get used to it.