Bill Sali: “my amendment would remove language from H.R. 985 that would prohibit dissent with respect to scientific research. I…”

“my amendment would remove language from H.R. 985 that would prohibit dissent with respect to scientific research. I filed my amendment because I believe it is inappropriate to attempt to shoehorn the debate about public policy influencing science into this legislation, thus turning it into a personnel issue to be litigated in the courts. As set forth by section 13 of the bill, the dissemination of ``false or misleading technical information'' is deemed to be an ``abuse of authority'' upon which a Federal authority can make a protected disclosure. The problem is that on scientific issues, the question of what is false or misleading is often a difficult question on which reasonable people can disagree, and on which sometimes scientific authorities have a hard time making up their minds. Are eggs good for you or bad for you? Is milk good for you or bad for you? Section 13 of this bill has significant implications upon the development of scientific research conducted by the government, including research and development work at the Defense Department, as well as federally funded research on health and related issues. By including the science provisions in this bill, I am concerned that we are opening the door for debates in science to become the basis of litigation. Putting the threat of litigation on a healthy debate of science is not good public policy. Furthermore, this clause potentially makes the tension between ethics and science the subject of litigation.”