LECTURE 3 (Political interference with science)

Question 1

What does Political interference with science refer to?

Answer 1

• Manipulation or distortion of scientific evidence
• Findings for political gain
• To support a particular policy agenda

Question 2

How can Political interference occur?

Answer 2

• Suppressing scientific research or data
• Censoring scientific publications
• Appointing unqualified individuals to scientific positions
• Choosing scientific evidence to support a predetermined position

Question 3

What are the consequences of Political interference?

Answer 3

• Undermine credibility of scientific research
• Lead to policies that are not based on sound evidence

Question 4

How can scientific integrity be promoted?

Answer 4

Through policies that:
- Protect the independence of scientific research
- Increase transparency in scientific decision-making
- Ensure that scientific findings are not suppressed or censored for political reasons

Question 5

What is the government’s responsibility?

Answer 5

Making the organised community efforts necessary to protect the health of the population

Question 6

The Government’s role is determined by _____

Answer 6

Law

Question 7

The body of public health law is massive, consisting of all the written statements relating to health by which three branches of government?

Answer 7

• Federal levels
• State levels
• Local levels

Question 8

What is the difference between Federal, State and Local laws?

Answer 8

Federal laws = apply to everyone throughout the United States

State laws = apply to people who are citizens, residents or visitors to that particular state

Local laws = apply to people who are citizens, residents or visitors to that particular local community

Question 9

What are Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)?

Answer 9

An organisation that is neither a part of a government or a conventional for-profit business

Question 10

What are laws that all states have to follow?

Answer 10

• Collect data about the population
• Immunise children before they enter school
• Regulate the environment for purposes of sanitation
• Regulate safety

Question 11

What is the Federal role in public health?

Answer 11

To provide general welfare

Question 12

What does the federal government have authority to regulate?

Answer 12

• Interstate commerce
• To collect taxes
• To pay the debts
• Provide common defence and general welfare

Question 13

What does the FDA oversee?

Answer 13

Federal regulation of
- Food
- Drugs
- Medical devices
- Cosmetics

Question 14

What are two examples of Federal influence over state health programmes

Answer 14

• Helmet law (as a precondition for receiving highway construction funds, states must pass laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets)
• Medicaid programme (Providing health care for the poor)

Question 15

Why are police powers invoked?

Answer 15

• To prevent a person from harming others
• To defend the interests of incompetent people (e.g children and mentally disabled)
• To protect a person from harming himself or herself

Question 16

How does the law work?

Answer 16

At any government level a legislature perceiving a need passes a statute -> Statute may be challenged in court and decision of court may be appealed to higher court -> State court may overturn a local law/court decision and a Federal court may overturn a state law/court decision