Former Bush surgeon general says he was muzzled

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Former Bush surgeon general says he was muzzled

(AP Photo )*By Will Dunham

Jul 10, 2007

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3362833

Share WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first U.S. surgeon general

appointed by President W. Bush accused the administration on

Tuesday of political interference and muzzling him on key issues

like embryonic stem cell research.

" Anything that doesn't fit into the political appointees'

ideological, theological or political agenda is ignored,

marginalized or simply buried, " Dr. Carmona, who served as

the nation's top doctor from 2002 until 2006, told a House of

Representatives committee.

" The problem with this approach is that in public health, as in a

democracy, there is nothing worse than ignoring science, or

marginalizing the voice of science for reasons driven by changing

political winds. The job of surgeon general is to be the doctor of

the nation, not the doctor of a political party, " Carmona added.

Carmona said Bush administration political appointees censored his

speeches and kept him from talking out publicly about certain

issues, including the science on embryonic stem cell research,

contraceptives and his misgivings about the administration's embrace

of " abstinence-only " sex education.

Carmona's comments came two days before a Senate committee is due to

hold a hearing on Bush's nomination of Dr. Holsinger as his

successor. The administration allowed Carmona to finish his term as

surgeon general last year without a replacement in place.

Gay rights activists and several leading Democrats have criticized

Holsinger for what they see as " anti-gay " writings, but the White

House has defended him as well qualified.

U.S. surgeons general in the past have issued influential reports on

subjects including smoking, AIDS and mental health.

" Political interference with the work of the surgeon general appears

to have reached a new level in this administration, " said Rep. Henry

Waxman, a California Democrat who chairs the House Oversight and

Government Reform Committee to which Carmona testified.

" The public expects that a surgeon general will be immune from

political pressure and be allowed to express his or her professional

views based on the best available science, " he said.

Carmona said he was politically naive when he took the job, but

became astounded at the partisanship and manipulation he witnessed

as administration political appointees hemmed him in.

Bush in 2001 allowed federal funding for human embryonic stem cell

research, but only with heavy restrictions that many scientists

condemn as stifling.

Carmona said the administration prevented him from voicing views on

stem cell research. Many scientists see it as a promising avenue for

curing many diseases. But because it involves destroying human

embryos, opponents call it immoral.

Carmona said he was prevented from talking publicly even about the

science underpinning the research to enable the U.S. public to have

a better understanding of a complicated issue. He said most of the

public debate over the matter has been driven by political,

ideological or theological motivations.

" I was blocked at every turn. I was told the decision had already

been made -- stand down, don't talk about it, " he said.

Carmona testified with two predecessors, Dr. C. Everett Koop, who

served under President Reagan, and Dr. Satcher, named

by Clinton but whose term ended under Bush.

Carmona said some of his predecessors told him, " We have never seen

it as partisan, as malicious, as vindictive, as mean-spirited as it

is today, and you clearly have worse than anyone's had. "