Washington, DC — Lev Facher reports on STAT that, in a May 18 letter to the White House, several Democrats on the House Science Committee are scolding President Trump for his belief in fake news stories, tying that belief to the lack of scientific leadership in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
“Until the OSTP is adequately staffed and the director position filled by a qualified, objective scientist who understands the difference between alternative news peddled on alt-right websites and legitimate well-vetted scientific facts, we fear that you will continue to be vulnerable to misinformation and fake news,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.
“Where scientific policy is concerned, the White House should make use of the latest, most broadly-supported science,” they continued. “You have a tool at your disposal in this regard, should you wish to make use of it, in the Office of Science and Technology Policy.”
“Until the OSTP is adequately staffed and the director position filled by a qualified, objective scientist who understands the difference between alternative news peddled on alt-right websites and legitimate well-vetted scientific facts, we fear that you will continue to be vulnerable to misinformation and fake news,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.
“Where scientific policy is concerned, the White House should make use of the latest, most broadly-supported science,” they continued. “You have a tool at your disposal in this regard, should you wish to make use of it, in the Office of Science and Technology Policy.”
The office has been without a head and mostly unstaffed for months.
The group of seven Democrats was led by Representative Don Beyer of Virginia, one of two members of Congress to attend the March for Science in Washington last month and an outspoken voice against the Trump administration’s climate policies.
The President has yet to appoint a top science advisor and has made no announcements regarding the selection process.
The White House, nonetheless, has continued science-centered discussions, hosting NIH Director Francis Collins and a number of biomedical researchers for a meeting recently.
For the full story, click here.
Follow Facher on Twitter @levfacher.
Follow STAT — which reports from the frontiers of medical innovation and science — on Twitter @statnews.
The group of seven Democrats was led by Representative Don Beyer of Virginia, one of two members of Congress to attend the March for Science in Washington last month and an outspoken voice against the Trump administration’s climate policies.
The President has yet to appoint a top science advisor and has made no announcements regarding the selection process.
The White House, nonetheless, has continued science-centered discussions, hosting NIH Director Francis Collins and a number of biomedical researchers for a meeting recently.
For the full story, click here.
Follow Facher on Twitter @levfacher.
Follow STAT — which reports from the frontiers of medical innovation and science — on Twitter @statnews.
