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The Center for Science in the Public Interest has prepared and released a report on how science and science advice can fall victim to politics (Twisted Advice: Federal Advisory Committees are Broken). The Center's report says

More than 900 advisory committees offer policy and scientific recommendations to virtually every agency of the federal government. The issues they review range from food safety and energy production to protection of the environment and public health. While most of these committees offer policy advice, over 200 are charged with evaluating the state of play in a specific scientific field so that the parent agency can accurately, effectively, and efficiently carry out its mission. Independence is crucial if scientific advisory committees are going to carry out their mission. Sadly, all too often the independence of these committees is compromised by members financially beholden to special interests.

Q:Are the concerns of the Center for Science in the Public Interest relevant to your views on how government gets scientific advice that may serve as a basis for policy- and decision-making or for management actions?