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Evidence of Political Interference
Voices of Scientists at the FDA
Protecting Public Health Depends on Independent Science

Related Links
Food & Drug Administration Scientist Survey
UCS press release

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FDA survey summary and details
Other UCS Surveys
NOAA Fisheries survey summary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey summary
Keep Informed and Help Defend Science from Politics
Scientists/engineers: Sign the scientists' statement on scientific
integrity
Non-scientists: Sign the citizens' call to action




The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), now in its hundredth
year, is responsible for protecting and advancing public health
through the regulation of drugs, food, medical devices, cosmetics, and
the blood supply—including products that, according to the FDA,
account for 25 cents of every American consumer dollar spent.

In 2006, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Public Employees
for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) distributed a 38-question
survey to 5,918 FDA scientists to examine the state of science at the
FDA. The results paint a picture of a troubled agency: hundreds of
scientists reported significant interference with the FDA's scientific
work, compromising the agency's ability to fulfill its mission of
protecting public health and safety.

The FDA mission statement calls for "helping the public get the
accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and
foods to improve their health." Unfortunately, scientists at the
agency are concerned that science no longer plays this crucial role in
the FDA's regulatory decisions.
Independent science must be the driving force for decisions made by
the FDA. Based on the survey responses from FDA scientists, it is
clear that the agency needs to demonstrate a greater respect for
independent science and improve both the transparency and
accountability of its decisions.
For this to occur, both the FDA leadership and Congress must act
swiftly to pursue reforms. Without real leadership to defend impartial
science, the FDA cannot do its job—and public health and safety will
suffer.
This survey is one in a series of surveys designed to explore the
level of political interference in science at federal agencies.
Explore all survey results and learn more about the UCS Scientific
Integrity Program by exploring the links below and to the right.
Main FDA Survey Documents
UCS press release, supporting documents, and experts
Survey summary
Brochure containing survey summary, methodology, and demographics (pdf)

Supporting FDA Survey Documents
Survey questions and responses (pdf)
Selected essay responses (pdf)
All essay responses (pdf)
Abuses of science at the FDA (pdf)
Survey demographics (pdf)
Survey methodology (pdf)
FDA center-specific questions and answers (pdf)
FDA centers response analysis (pdf)
Comparison of 2006 UCS survey to 2002 inspector general survey (pdf)
Other Documents and Resources
Summary of the 2002 inspector general survey of FDA scientists
General Accountability Office report on the FDA's decision process
related to Plan B emergency contraception (pdf)
Institute of Medicine assessment of the U.S. drug safety system
(report forthcoming)
Prescription for Harm: The Decline in FDA Enforcement Activity (a
June 2006 report from the House Committee on Government Reform
Minority Office)
Harris poll: 82 percent of Americans believe FDA decisions are
influenced by politics
Statements about the FDA survey from Senator Grassley (R-IA),
Representative DeLauro (D-CT), and Representative Hinchey (D-NY)
About the FDA
FDA homepage
FDA history