UK scientists muzzled again?

[MeSci]

This is in similar vein to this thread from last year.

Scientists attack their 'muzzling' by government

State-funded scientists could be prevented from lobbying for change in their field under Cabinet Office proposals

Senior scientists have denounced a potential move to “muzzle” colleagues whose findings are disliked by the government.

The proposal – announced by the Cabinet Office earlier this month – would block researchers who receive government grants from using their results to lobby for changes to laws or regulations.

I wonder to what extent this p0licy arose from former advisor David Nutt and his inconvenient truth that policy on recreational drugs doesn't work, and that they should be decriminalised. After parting company with the government he proceeded to lobby strongly for his preferred, evidence-based policy.

Such 'muzzling' could adversely affect us - if a government-funded study finds strong evidence that an expensive treatment works for us, or if unequivocal evidence were found that CBT/GET caused serious harm, for example, and that doesn't suit the politicians...

 

[IntelligentImpulse]

I don't know much about the UK in terms of pharmaceutical policies but I do know that the UK and Canada have terrible environmental science policies in regards to defunding scientists etc anything which would hurt the present economy.

It's a shame that governments only think about the present and maintaining a strong economy to convince voters they should remain in power.

 

[helen1]

Thankfully the new Canadian government has unmuzzled scientists here. Scientists are now free to speak to the media.

@IntelligentImpulse

 

[MeSci]

Looks like this has been covered already in another thread - I wonder if they should be merged?