Conflicts of Interest on Government Science Panels: Do They Matter? Should They Be Banned?

The House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would prohibit the Food and Drug Administration from appointing scientists with ties to drug manufacturers to its science advisory panels. The Environmental Protection Agency routinely appoints such scientists to its committees. Public interest groups are raising similar concerns about the National Academy of Sciences.

Moderator: Snigdha Prakash, National Public Radio

Speakers include:

• Dr. Scott Gottlieb, deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs, FDA (confirmed)
• Dr. Steven Nissen, former chair, FDA Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee, chair, cardiovascular medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation (confirmed)
• Merrill Goozner, director, Integrity in Science, Center for Science in the Public Interest (confirmed)
• Dr. David Michaels, professor of public health, George Washington University and chair, Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy
• Frederick R. Anderson, partner, McKenna, Long & Aldridge
• James W. Conrad, assistant general counsel, American Chemistry Council
• For more information, contact: Corrie Mauldin, 202-777-8307