scientific decisionmaking is being subverted by ideology

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61430-2002Oct21.html

Hill Group Faults HHS for Ideology

By Ceci Connolly

Washington Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, October 22, 2002; Page A25

A group led by Rep. Henry A. Waxman says Health and Human Services is

subverting science to a conservative political agenda. (MICHAEL

ROBINSON-CHAVEZ -- THE WASHINGTON POST)

A dozen House Democrats have written to Health and Human Services Secretary

Tommy G. expressing concern that " scientific decisionmaking is

being subverted by ideology " on issues ranging from cancer policy to lead

safety standards.

The letter, delivered yesterday, charges the department with using committee

appointments, financial audits and Internet sites to promote a conservative

political agenda that sometimes runs counter to well-established science.

" A series of troubling reports have come out casting doubt on the

administration's commitment to the tradition of scientific excellence and

science-based decisionmaking at HHS, suggesting that the tradition is being

substantially undermined, " wrote the group, led by Rep. Henry A. Waxman

(D-Calif.).

The letter gave as one example the Web site of the National Institutes of

Health, which removed " scientific findings of the National Cancer Institute

that, contrary to popular myth, abortions do not increase the risk of breast

cancer. " More than three months ago, a bipartisan group of House members

asked to restore the information, according to the letter, but

" [t]o date, they have received no reply. "

Claude , deputy secretary of HHS, described many of the complaints as a

" rehash " and defended the administration's prerogative to create advisory

committees with diverse views.

" This letter assumes political motives where one may not exist at all, " he

said. Many changes instituted recently are part of an effort to keep up to

date with scientific developments, he added.

In the letter, the lawmakers question why Web sites for NIH and the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention have removed fact sheets on " the

effectiveness of condoms " and a sex education curriculum called " Programs

that Work. "

" Having evidence-based information on preventing pregnancy and sexually

transmitted diseases is critical to the health of our young people, " they

wrote. " Removal of this information . . . strongly suggests an ideological,

rather than a scientific, agenda at work. "

Today, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice plans to hold a news

conference to denounce what it views as " the growing influence of religious

extremism on reproductive health care. "

The Rev. Carlton Veazey, president of the 40-member interfaith coalition,

bemoaned administration policies restricting embryonic stem cell research,

family planning clinics and comprehensive sex education.

The coalition joined a growing chorus of activists who object to the

appointment of W. Hager to chair the Reproductive Health Drugs

Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration. Hager, a Kentucky

gynecologist, is co-author of " Stress and the Woman's Body, " a medical book

that promotes " the restorative power of Jesus Christ in one's life. "

HHS's said Hager's religious views are being questioned, not his

medical expertise. The latest critique comes two weeks after Rep. J.

Markey (D-Mass.) issued a report accusing the Bush administration of

stacking an advisory panel on childhood lead poisoning with lead industry

allies.

But said the administration believes " in getting broad views. . . . We

think industry has a voice and should have a voice. "

© 2002 The Washington Post Company