H.R.1106 - Scientific Integrity Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1106, the Scientific Integrity Act, aims to amend the America COMPETES Act by establishing scientific integrity policies for federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research. The bill mandates that these agencies adopt and enforce policies prohibiting scientific misconduct, suppression of findings, and political interference. It also ensures the right of scientists to disseminate their findings and participate in the scientific community.
Expected Effects
The bill seeks to ensure that scientific research informing public policy is free from political, ideological, and financial conflicts of interest. This would lead to greater public trust in government science. It also establishes mechanisms for reporting and addressing violations of scientific integrity.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced public trust in government science and policy decisions.
- Protection for scientists against political interference and coercion.
- Improved quality and reliability of scientific information used in policymaking.
- Increased transparency and accountability in federally funded research.
- Clearer guidelines and processes for reporting and addressing scientific misconduct.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and administrative burden on federal agencies.
- Risk of hindering timely communication of scientific findings due to mandatory review processes.
- Possible challenges in defining and enforcing scientific integrity standards consistently across different agencies.
- Potential for frivolous complaints and investigations, diverting resources from actual research.
- Risk of unintended consequences or loopholes in the policy that could be exploited.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principles of the First Amendment, particularly the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances, as it protects the rights of scientists to communicate their findings and report misconduct. It also supports the general welfare by ensuring that public policy decisions are informed by sound science. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).