After years of development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has produced a new version of its scientific integrity policy, but, unfortunately, it offers few discernible improvements, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The draft policy repeatedly declares its intent to prevent political suppression of scientific information, ensure prompt and full investigation of misconduct allegations, and protect scientists offering differing scientific opinions, but it lacks any concrete rules or procedures to accomplish these goals.
Instead, the draft policy says agency officials will “expeditiously draft…necessary procedures including those on addressing scientific integrity concerns, addressing DSOs [Differing Scientific Opinions], and others such as clearance of scientific product … as needed.”