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Independent science is the problem of government agencies and regulators lacking the same access to scientific expertise available to the private sector. Government thus cannot effectively regulate and control private sector innovations and operations involving complex science and technology.

The problem is principally one of money, the rewards of innovation for scientists in terms of high salaries or stock holdings are beyond the competitive capabilities of government agencies.
Since 1980, the balance of power between corporations and governments has swung decisively in favor of corporations, as a result of increasing government deficits and tax cuts to multinational corporations. (MNC’s)

Public funding to universities has been cut significantly so a significant beachhead for independent science has been undermined. With reduced public funding, MNC’s have stepped in with Ad Hoc funding and donations and so much scientific research at universities now service MNC’s interests.

Political election campaigns in USA are media oriented and thus very expensive. Politicians are thus highly dependent upon MNC’s for campaign contributions. The corporations are rewarded by gaining strong influence over appointees to regulatory boards (clinical practice guidelines, ENRON and FERE, NHTBS and auto firms.) members of regulatory boards who make favorable rulings to MNC’s are often rewarded with important jobs or board membership on MNC’s (Wandy Gramm (Chicago Mercantile Exchange – Derivatives) on ENRON’s board).
This is part of a lager problem in which politicians are former MNC executives and move back and forth between the private and public sectors (Bush, Cheney, Paul Martin, Robert McNamara) or else take highly lucrative positions as lobbyists to sell access to government influence to MNC’s.

The result is increased conflicts of interest and the loss of traditional barriers between the private and public sector that protects the public interest. But to some degree this is necessary, since governments have a strong interest in the success of new technology within their jurisdictions (GM, POCAS, industry Canada, Monsanto, HEALTH Canada generate a conflict of interest).

Union of Concerned Scientists (includes 60 top USA scientists, including 20 Nobel laureates) accused George W. Bush administration in 2004 of suppressing, distorting, manipulating, censoring science and scientific research for political purposes. They accused Bush administration of stacking regulatory advisory panels with scientists working for industries being regulated, rather than scientists who are independent of corporate influence. Bush administration has suppressed critical reports of global warming or business practices of major political contributors.

Governments are extremely dependent upon corporation expertise for information needed to create effective policies. USA government has more than 600 advisory panels on science issues and these often must be staffed by corporate scientists because of their cutting edge expertise from corporation R&D. (Research and Development) Thus regulated industries control access to information crucial for government agencies to make effective regulatory responses. Industry trade associations have ongoing contact with government agencies on an ongoing basis – corporations are thus informed of regulatory initiatives that may impact corporate profits. Often this must be done because regulatory initiatives may have complex and often unanticipated impacts on corporate profits, profits important for national prosperity.
True conflicts of interest thus do not merely involve those between private and public interests. They are also internal to overall government objectives and mandates. On the one hand, business must be regulated to protect the public interest (government regulations). On the other hand, government serves the public interest by promoting the global success of business enterprise.
Monsanto is promoted by Industry Canada, but is regulated by Canada Health.

Zortman-Landusky gold mine opened in 1979 as the first open pit cyanides mine is USA, operated by Canadian company, Pegasus Gold. The mine went bankrupt in 1998 and left behind an environment disaster. Cyanide is used to separate gold from waste rock, but waste cyanide in the rock created acid that may impact local water supply. The clean up is expected to cost millions over many years. State of Montana wrote the environmental impact study for this mine operation, based primarily on info provided by Pegasus Gold.

This dependence on mining companies is common practice because of the cost of in-depth, independent research, which USA state government cannot afford. In Canada, environmental recognitions, while tough, tend to be a subject to lax enforcement because of independence of government and business. In Ontario pulp and paper mills consistently failed to meet government pollution standards. USA power plants have consistently failed to meet standards of US Clean Air Act and other legislation passed in the 1970’s.

Loss of independent science

Pharmaceutical companies and clinical practice guidelines include detailed sets of treatment recommendations for specific medical conditions, written by committees of physicians. Drug companies have significant influence over who is appointed to these committees:

- 35% of committee members have a serious conflict of interest (research funding comes from drug firm)

- 16% of members own stock in drug companies.

- 70% of committees have members with financial interest in constitution of the guidelines. (Will members update guidelines to service their interests?)

These statistics are understated since 50% of guidelines investigated did not have conflict disclosures.

Great Britain now has an independent government funding board to create guidelines. Therefore drug companies fund clinical trials of drugs.

Also, US FDA (Food and Drug Administation) procedures were changed in 1995/1996 (1994 republican congress) to permit fast tracking approval for new drugs. Numerous side effects arose in new drugs that had to be identified by GP’s (VIOXX, (painkiller which made around 2.5 billions in sales) anti-depressant was pulled from market in 2004 as a result of side effects).

David Healy’s case in 2000, major academic who had his employment offer to a major position at university of Toronto withdrawn because of his articles critical of Prozac, (Eli Lily was a major contributor to University of Toronto medical unit)

Science professors are encouraged to solicit MNC contributions for research to make up for decreased government funding (science grads then get corporate jobs).
Drug companies can gain patent benefits for new drugs whose research has been funded by publicly funding university.

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NOTE: This article is part of our Independent Science discussion of the forum. Please click here for details