Aug. 5, 2009

By Sherwood Boehlert, Arthur Caplan, Linda J. Fisher, Lynn R. Goldman, Daniel Greenbaum, Michael P. Holsapple, Kevin Knobloch, Kenneth Olden, Roger A. Pielke, Jr., Sherri K. Stuewer, Wendy E. Wagner, Josh Trapani, David Goldston, Donald Kennedy and John Graham

Bipartisan Policy Center

The use of science in the formulation of regulatory policy – by both the Executive Branch and the Congress – has been a political flashpoint in recent decades.

Policy makers often claim that particular regulatory decisions have been driven by, or even required by science; their critics, in turn, have attacked the quality or the interpretation of that science. Such conflict has left the U.S. with a system that is plagued by charges that science is being “politicized” and that regulation lacks a solid scientific basis. As a result, needed regulation may be stymied, dubious regulations may be adopted, issues can drag on without conclusion and policy debate is degraded. Moreover, the morale of scientists is weakened, and public faith in both government and science is undermined.

Attached files

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Report, Science for Policy Project