Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees say they observed incidents perceived as political interference within the federal agencies that may have altered or suppressed scientific findings,  a new federal report has found.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) interviewed 16 employees at the CDC, FDA and the National Instituted of Health (NIH)—agencies which spearheaded the nation’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal audit group said it was asked to review scientific integrity policies and procedures, and how allegations of political interference in scientific decision-making are addressed at CDC, FDA, NIH and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
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