Yesterday, two groups – the Union of Concerned Scientists and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility – released survey results from scientists at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The survey showed that 56% of respondents reported cases where commercial interests wrongly influenced scientific decisions affecting listing processes under the Endangered Species Act.

“It is unconscionable that science is manipulated for corporate interests, putting species and habitat protections in danger of being destroyed,” said Earthjustice Legislative Representative Susan Holmes. “We commend UCS and PEER for their efforts to bring to light the undue influence political intervention has had on scientific integrity at the Fish and Wildlife Service. We also call on the Bush administration and Fish and Wildlife to stop putting corporate profits ahead of species protections.”