HHS Urged to Use Science, Not Sectarian Beliefs, to Shape Policy; Scientific Groups Petition Agency to Preserve Core Values in Science

2/20/2003

From: Sean C. Prichard of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, 202-466-3825 or 202-489-8611 (after hours) Email: sprichard@arhp.org or Web: www.arhp.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) today delivered to the Department of Health and Human Services a statement of principles designed to promote sound public health policy, protect academic freedom, and preserve scientific integrity. The petition, Preserving Core Values in Science, is a guide for government decision-making in public health and is endorsed by over a hundred organizations representing more than 120,000 leading health professionals, researchers, and educators and over 1.9 million advocates. Core Values expresses deep concern over government decision-making that is based on ideology, not science -- and the resulting threat to the nation's health and waste of scarce resources. The statement was delivered to Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson on February 20th.

"Allowing sectarian beliefs and political ideology to dictate health policy endangers our national health. Decisions of national agencies like the FDA and the CDC should have the benefit of advisors with appropriate credentials and the best possible qualifications, and should be free from the burden of political censorship," states Felicia Stewart, MD, ARHP board chair and co-director of the Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy at the University of California San Francisco. "Appointments to scientific panels now seem to be driven more by sectarian beliefs than excellence."

The Core Values consensus statement cites seven recent examples-including appointments to key Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) advisory panels and the revision of public information provided by the National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-in which accepted principles of public policy development based on scientific and medical evidence have been ignored. While many alarming examples have come from the field of reproductive health, the trend transcends disciplines, and involves the larger issue of scientific integrity and independence.

"The incredible response to this statement from research, medical, and advocacy organizations reflects a widespread concern that this Administration is undermining fundamental scientific principles," says Wayne C. Shields, ARHP president and CEO. "We are asking this administration to adopt these core values, and to use evidence-based, peer-reviewed science -- not sectarian ideology -- as the basis for decision-making in science and public health."

The petition can be read in its entirety at www.arhp.org/signon/.

ARHP is multidisciplinary association composed of professionals who provide reproductive health services or education, conduct reproductive health research, or influence reproductive health policy. ARHP, founded in 1963, has a mission to educate health care professionals, public policy makers, and the public. The organization fosters research and advocacy to promote reproductive health.