USDA Scientists Report Possible Political Tampering With Their Work

"In late 2014, a whistleblower scientist rocked the Agriculture Department with a charge that it retaliated against him because his research found that a popular and lucrative farm pesticide might harm pollinators such as bees.

The issue died down when the scientist, Jonathan Lundgren, withdrew his case to contemplate whether to make it broader, and because his superiors continued to penalize him for infractions that other scientists committed without discipline. Now a recent survey of the Agriculture Department’s scientists by the agency’s inspector general has brought it back to the forefront.

According to the survey’s findings, nearly 10 percent said their research has been tampered with or altered by superiors 'for reasons other than technical merit,' possibly because of political considerations."

Darryl Fears reports for the Washington Post April 21, 2017.