Home : Privacy & Technology : Scientific Freedom

Academic freedom and scientific inquiry have come under sustained assault since September 11, 2001. Spurred by misguided and often disingenuous security concerns, the Bush Administration has sought to impose growing restrictions on the free flow of scientific information, unreasonable barriers to the use of scientific materials, and increased monitoring of and restrictions on foreign university students.

The ACLU has defended scientific freedom since the Scopes "monkey" trial of 1927, and we continue to do so by fighting to keep "Intelligent Design" creationism out of the science classroom, exposing politically motivated stacking of scientific advisory boards, and promoting freedom of research and the flow of scientific information.

ISSUES
> Intelligent Design

> Freedom of Religion and Belief

> Restrictions on Research and Flow of Scientific Information (See Science Under Siege)

REPORTS
> Science Under Siege

LITIGATION
> Kitzmiller v. Dover: Challenge to Intelligent Design

ACLU Decries Scientific Censorship at Smithsonian (05/23/2007)
Washington, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union today denounced the Smithsonian Institution’s censorship of an Arctic climate change exhibit. Smithsonian scholars watered down a climate change report by scientists, believing it would cause a stir in Congress and the White House.

Georgia School Board Drops Defense of Anti-Evolution Stickers (12/19/2006)
ATLANTA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Cobb County School Board to keep controversial “Evolution Disclaimer” stickers out of biology textbooks in public schools, ending a legal challenge that began in 2002.

ACLU Hails Historic Ruling in Dover, Pennsylvania "Intelligent Design" Case (12/20/2005)
HARRISBURG, PA - "Intelligent design" is a particular religious belief, not a valid scientific theory, and teaching it in public school science classrooms violates the Constitution, according to Judge John E. Jones III's ruling today in Kitzmiller v. Dover.

Science Under Siege By Bush Administration, ACLU Charges (06/21/2005)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union released a report today examining government policies and practices that have hampered academic freedom and scientific inquiry since September 11, 2001. The report sheds new light on how these policies curtail basic rights and put all Americans at risk.

ACLU Says New Intelligence Umbrella Agency Poses Serious Questions (01/29/2003)
WASHINGTON - In response to President Bush's announcement last night that he will integrate federal intelligence units under one umbrella agency headed by the Central Intelligence Agency, the American Civil Liberties Union today expressed concern that the initiative would put the CIA back in the business of spying on Americans.

Executive Summary: Science Under Siege (06/20/2005)
This report provides an overview of these restrictions, which fall into the following three main categories: restrictions on information, restrictions on individuals, and restrictions on materials.

Science Under Siege (06/20/2005)
The Bush Administration's Assault on Academic Freedom and Scientific Inquiry

Comments on Export Controls (06/28/2005)

Coalition Letter to the Department of Homeland Security in Support of Recent Suspension of the One-Year and Thirty-Day Re-Registration Requirements for the National Entry-Exit Registration System or "NSEERS" (12/18/2003)

Sign-on Letter Expressing Concerns With the National Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS) (06/14/2003)

ACLU Letter to the Department of Justice on the "Registration and Monitoring of Certain Nonimmigrants," Program (NSEERS) (04/02/2003)

Messages of Support Sent to Parents and Teachers Involved in Kitzmiller v. Dover (12/19/2005)
To illustrate support to parents and teachers involved in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case, the ACLU delivered more than 21,000 signatures from people across the country. Here are a few of the messages regarding this important religious liberty case.

Q&A with Dr. Jeremy Gunn and Tania Simoncelli (11/23/2005)

Links That Explain Intelligent Design (11/23/2005)

What the Experts Say About Intelligent Design (11/23/2005)

The Trial of Kitzmiller v. Dover (11/23/2005)

What the Scientific Community Says about Evolution and Intelligent Design (11/23/2005)