Scientists Concerned For Academic Freedom

Open Letter to Premier of Western Australia

Now signed by more than 70

Background

Dr. Judy Carman, senior scientist working in the field of
epidemiology in Australia and awarded a government grant to
study the safety of GM feed, has been subjected to a
sustained campaign of vilification by individuals associated
withthe biotech industry, with the clear intention of
preventingher from carrying out the research. Political
pressure is nowbeing brought to bear on her research by the
current Agriculture and Food Minister of Western Australia.

Dr. Carman is not an isolated case. A long string of
scientists beginning with Arpad Puszati, Susan Bardocz, Shiv
Chopra, Ignacio Chapela, Irina Ermakova, and more has
suffered the same attackswhen their research or laboratory
findings are deemed unfavourable to thebiotech industry;
they have also lost their grants or their jobs as a result.

It is important for scientists to make a stand for real
science,and for the right of scientists to do research
without being harassed and intimidated, or losing their
grants or positions. The public will not be well-served
unless this academic freedom to do research independent of
industry or the whims of government is guaranteed.

Please add your name and affiliation to the letter below by
sending an e-mail message to m.w.ho@i-sis.org.uk

Please forward for more signatures


Comment from Dr. Shiv Chopra, Canada

The same or worse is happening all across the world. For
instance, a workshop at which I and another scientist were
invited last week to discuss the pros and cons of vaccines
at the First Nations (Aboriginal) conference in Ottawa was
abruptly cancelled, apparently under threat from Health
Canada officials. The same is happening with regard to the
new consumer protection bills, presently under consideration
of the Canadian and US politicians. In June 2009, I heard
of much the same happening during my visit to Australia and
New Zealand and, of course, even worse during my last
several visits to India.


Comment from Dr. Mira Shiva, India

Thank you so much for sending this letter. Many of us feel
extremely agitated about the harassment of independent
researchers and scientists whose findings are not in the
interest of corporations. We have seen it in the
pharmaceutical industry, and witnessed it with regard to
food and agriculture.

I am committed to our right to safety and right to
information as much as I am disgusted at the misuse of power
to block the conduction of pro- public health, public
interest research by independents researchers and scientists

I am also deeply concerned about researchers totally
changing their conclusions under inducement. For those who
have stood up for their research and faced pressures, we
offer our deep appreciation and respect, and assurance of
our continued solidarity.


Comment from Dr. Allison Bleaney OBE

The integrity of science itself is in doubt if independent
objective research cannot be assured.

This is a major issue and of concern to us all; the
undermining of the researcher and their work along withthe
deliberate policy of the ‘undone science’. Thank you for highlighting it publically.

Read the rest of this report
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/scientistsConcernedAcademicFreedom.php