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Trump Administration Prohibits CDC Policy Analysts From Using the Words 'Science-Based' (washingtonpost.com)

Long-time Slashdot reader hey! writes: On Friday the Washington Post reported that the Trump Administration has forbidden the Centers for Disease Control from using seven terms in certain documents: "science-based", "evidence-based", "vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity," "transgender," and "fetus".

It's important to note that the precise scope and intent of the ban is unknown at present. Scientific and medical personnel as of now have not been affected, only policy analysts preparing budgetary proposals and supporting data that is being sent to Congress. So it is unclear the degree to which the language mandates represent a change in agency priorities vs. a change in how it presents itself to Congress. However banning the scientifically precise term "fetus" will certainly complicate budgeting for things like Zika research and monitoring.

According to the Post's article, "Instead of 'science-based' or 'evidence-based,' the suggested phrase is 'CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes."

The New York Times confirmed the story with several officials, although "a few suggested that the proposal was not so much a ban on words but recommendations to avoid some language to ease the path toward budget approval by Republicans."

5 of 458 comments (clear)

  1. Work-around by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Since "fetus" is banned, they will now use "small Trump-like being" in its place. Hand size is about right, also.

    1. Re:Work-around by DogDude · · Score: 2, Funny

      That doesn't quite work. A fetus is usually something a woman wants in her ladyparts.

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      I don't respond to AC's.
  2. Re:They must go nuts by angel'o'sphere · · Score: 3, Funny

    This gives 'The Life of Brian' a complete new meaning!

    --
    Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
  3. Re: They must go nuts by Hognoxious · · Score: 3, Funny

    How much food you are eating has parts of human DNA in it?

    All of it, apart form the fava beans and the chianti.

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    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  4. Re:Mentally unstable people run the government. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    science-based research predicts more Americans will vote Democratic in 2020.