Congress shields FDA whistleblowers

Executive Summary

The House of Representatives passes an amendment March 14 to H.R. 985, which shields whistleblowers who report tampering with government scientific investigations. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-MI., will "enhance whistleblower protection by including in the list of reportable actions any attempt to suppress the right of government scientists to publish or announce their findings in peer reviewed journals or public meetings with their fellow scientists." Stupak cites a Union of Concerned Scientists survey, finding that of the 997 FDA scientists who responded, 36 percent did not feel they could openly express concerns within the agency about public health without fear of retaliation (1"The Pink Sheet" July 24, 2006, p. 16)...