[T]he Department of Agriculture under President Trump is throwing its weight behind genetically modified foods with a new GMO-friendly information campaign. Democrats have accused the president of turning the USDA into a “pro-industry advertising business.”

In another sign of the new industry-friendly approach, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is overhauling how the EPA does scientific analysis. Pruitt is considering replacing half the scientists on a key EPA advisory board with researchers from the fossil fuel industry.

Former New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt, a Democrat, criticized the move away from public sector university researchers.

“Academic scientists play a critical role in informing policy with scientific research results at every level, including the federal government,” he told the Washington Post.

But others say it’s a welcome departure from efforts by previous administrations to bring more government intrusion in science.

“The left can eschew industry-funded research supporting the safety of consumer products because it fits their narrative that ‘Big Business is poisoning our families,’” said Dr. Joseph Perrone, chief science officer at the Washington D.C.-based Center for Accountability in Science. “The Trump Administration has the right idea to rein in previous Administrations’ overreach, such as balancing advisory committees with industry representatives as well as academic scientists.”

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Is science too ‘politicized?’ Trump administration tackles issue