The White House censored the public statements of Dr Richard Carmona, the surgeon general from 2002 until last year

Surgeon general was 'gagged by White House' - Independent

Extract:

"For generations of Americans, the surgeon general has been the "nation's doctor", the person they turned to for unbiased advice on everything from smoking to obesity and HIV/Aids. But not under President George Bush, it now emerges.

Damning testimony of Dr Richard Carmona, the surgeon general from 2002 until last year, has revealed that the Bush administration frequently censored him and tried to mould his public statements to fit political goals. He was even ordered to mention President Bush three times on every page of his speeches.

US presidents have generally defended the surgeon general's right to address public health issues. Even Ronald Reagan resisted efforts to sack the much-admired Everett Koop for speaking out on Aids. But under President Bush, the independence of the surgeon general has been placed below industry lobbying and the demands of the religious right.

The Bush White House banned Dr Carmona from speaking or issuing reports on stem cells, emergency contraception, sex education, prisons, mental health and international health issues, he has revealed. For years, the White House also tried to "water down" a key report on the dangers of second-hand smoke, he said. When it was published last year , the report stated that even brief exposure to cigarette smoke can cause immediate harm.

When Dr Carmona tried to address the subject of embryonic stem-cell research, deeply controversial among the religious right, he said he was "told to stand down and not speak about it". He explained: "Much of the discussion was being driven by theology, ideology, [and] preconceived beliefs that were scientifically incorrect... I thought, 'This is a perfect example of the surgeon general being able to step forward, educate the American public'... [but] I was blocked at every turn. I was told the decision had already been made - 'Stand down. Don't talk about it.' That information was removed from my speeches.""


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