Scientist feeling White House pressure

WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- A top U.S. scientist said in Washington he shouldn't have a bureaucrat looking over his shoulder whenever he comments on issues in his field of expertise.

James Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, deplored what he called the "politicization of science" during his testimony before the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee, the Los Angeles Times reported. Hansen was chagrined that a government information officer must listen in when he is interviewed by reporters.

"This is the United States. We do have freedom of speech here," Hansen said. "When I testify to you as a government scientist, why does my testimony have to be reviewed, edited and changed by a bureaucrat in the White House?"

One such bureaucrat sat beside him as he spoke on Monday.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said it's reasonable for his employer to ask him not to state views publicly that contradicted administration policy.

"I am concerned that many scientists are increasingly engaging in political advocacy and that some issues of science have become increasingly partisan as some politicians sense that there is a political gain to be found on issues like stem cells, teaching evolution and climate change," Issa said.