Good science isn't a luxury;

it's a necessity.

Michael Kratsios

Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy 

Dear Director Kratsios,

America's future hinges on a simple truth: Investing in good science isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. From breakthroughs in medicine to technological advancements that drive our economy, rigorous, unbiased scientific inquiry has always been the bedrock of our progress. As members of the diverse scientific, research, public health, academic communities and organizations representing individuals and their families, we are keenly interested in the recent Executive Order "Restoring the Gold Standard in Science." We share the overarching goal of ensuring that science serving the public good is of the highest quality, integrity, and utility.  

However, we must underscore a vital point: The gold standard for science exists, and its success is demonstrated in every facet of American life—from the development of life-saving vaccines and the journey to the moon to the technological revolution that powers our modern economy. It's built on established norms and values that have, for centuries, guided the global scientific enterprise. We urge policymakers to recognize that any efforts to strengthen scientific integrity must build upon, rather than undermine, these foundational pillars. Directives that bypass the expert judgment of the established scientific community, or impose rigid, personally motivated criteria on scientific evaluation, will stifle innovation, discourage crucial research, and ultimately erode public trust.  While scientific progress depends on rigorous debate and challenging existing ideas, this process is not a matter of opinion. It requires that all claims, especially dissenting ones, be backed by verifiable evidence and withstand the same level of scrutiny as the ideas they challenge.  

This "gold standard" is a methodological, evidence-based foundation from which we can build reliable knowledge and strengthen the future of scientific exploration and discovery. We must continue to strive for a community-driven enterprise where ideas are rigorously tested, subjected to the scrutiny of peers, and continuously refined or corrected in the face of new evidence. Inherent in this process are core values that include:  

• Empirical Rigor: A relentless commitment to evidence-based discovery through meticulous observation, experimentation, and data analysis.  
• Objectivity and Impartiality: A steadfast pursuit of truth, free from political, ideological, or commercial interference.  
• Transparency and Open Inquiry: The open sharing of methods, data (where appropriate and ethical), and findings to enable scrutiny, replication, and the building of cumulative knowledge.  
• Peer Review: The cornerstone of quality control, where proposed research and findings are rigorously evaluated by independent experts before dissemination.  
• Reproducibility and Replicability: The ability to obtain the same findings when repeating procedures, and the expectation that experiments can be independently recreated by others with consistent scientific results.  
• Continuous Self-Correction: The inherent capacity of science to revise understanding in light of new evidence gathered using rigorous scientific methods.  
• Range of Thought and Experience: Gathering input from researchers of varied backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives is essential for challenging assumptions, preventing groupthink, identifying and reducing errors, and fostering more creative and robust solutions to complex problems.”

These values are not abstract ideals but are actively fostered through the following key practices that govern scientific work:  

• Scientific Training and Education: The meticulous process of educating future scientists instills critical thinking, ethical conduct, and methodological expertise.  
• Research Methodology: The development and application of sound research methodologies, experimental design, and statistical analysis are paramount to ensure valid and robust conclusions.  
• Publication and Dissemination: The system of scholarly publishing, centered on rigorous peer review in reputable journals, vets research findings for quality and adherence to scientific standards before they enter the public domain.  

We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the Executive Office of the President, Congress, and all relevant federal agencies. By supporting and upholding the integrity of our existing scientific ecosystem, we can collectively ensure that federally funded science remains a vital and trusted resource for informing policy, fostering innovation, and addressing the nation's most pressing challenges.  

Sincerely,