When Politics Defeats Science

[MountainLaurel]

A nice essay from the FDA assistant commissioner who resigned in protest of the Bushistas' incursion into scientific decisions at the agency.

Since my resignation six months ago as assistant commissioner of women's health at the Food and Drug Administration, I have been traveling around the country meeting with men and women, fellow scientists and health care professionals. I have shared my concerns that our federal health agencies seem increasingly unable to operate independently and that this lack of independence compromises their mission of promoting public health and welfare.

At every stop I am reminded that whether it is the environment, energy policy, science education or public health, the American public expects our government to make the best decisions based on the best available evidence.

Yet, at a recent hearing of the House Appropriations subcommittee on labor, health and human services, we saw once again that this is not happening. Reps. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) questioned FDA acting commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach about the delay in approving the application to make Plan B emergency contraception available over the counter to women 17 and older. Von Eschenbach responded that the agency was carefully reviewing the thousands of comments received in response to last-minute concerns raised about the feasibility of making the same product available over the counter for most women but keeping it on prescription for young teens. This exchange confirmed my suspicion that, like his predecessor, von Eschenbach is unable or unwilling to let the science and the scientists guide FDA policy and decisions, and that the real answer as to whether the FDA will allow Plan B over the counter for those 17 and older is no.

Time and again in my travels I am asked, "What happened to derail Plan B?" I have to answer honestly that I don't know. The manufacturer agreed to take the "controversial" issue of young teens' access to emergency contraception off the table in 2004; now we are talking only about adult access to safe and effective contraception. Over 98 percent of adult women have used some form of contraception. So what is the objection?

The rest is at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/28/AR2006022801027.html

[Sparkman]

1. Here's how "moderate" Repukes act, they wise up AFTER leaving office...

This is EXACTLY what "reformed" assholes do, their chance was to MAKE YOUR PROTEST while in OFFICE!
It does no fucking good, assholes, to tell all AFTER you're out of your god damn crystal palaces!
If you didn't get media coverage for making a BIG STINK in office, don't expect us to welcome you with open arms. Pricks.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. easy for you to say

If they object while in office, they get fired for insubordination.

[rodeodance]

3. yes, while in office they are between a rock and a hard place.

[Sparkman]

5. I lost TWO jobs for not playing ball with the RW. Loud and protesting and

running into the arms of those who love ya baby! Ineffective apparachecks, sycafants, yes-men are politicians, not statesmen. This country is last in birth deaths, bad in education, and vile to our veterans BECAUSE of politically correct politeness within the ranks of government.
You can't protest privately, you HAVE to let everyone know you see that emporer is NUDE. imo

[Demeter]

4. What Happened? I'll Tell You What Happened!

Somebody thinks that the 19th Amendment and all sub-laws pertaining thereto has been revoked. Also the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th and 10th Amendments.

[Sparkman]

6. If college profs are rated for political party allegiance, shills graduate

LEGACY works on many levels, corporations will hire science profs and fed. agency sycophants for big money.
Sound like a resume for a president...a Repuke president.