In my view, this is pretty bad.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a report entitled: "Scientific Integrity in Policymaking: An Investigation Into The Bush Administration’s Misuse of Science".

The report concludes:

1. There is a well-established pattern of suppression and distortion of scientific findings by high-ranking Bush administration political appointees across numerous federal agencies. These actions have consequences for human health, public safety, and community well-being.

2. There is strong documentation of a wide-ranging effort to manipulate the government’s scientific advisory system to prevent the appearance of advice that might run counter to the administration’s political agenda.

3. There is evidence that the administration often imposes restrictions on what governments scientists can say or write about "sensitive" topics.

4. There is significant evidence that the scope and scale of the manipulation, suppression and manipulation of science by the Bush administration is unprecedented.

Pretty serious charges. It’s backed up with examples, and signed on to by 19 National Medal of Science signatories, 20 Nobel Laureates, and 3 Crafoord Prize winners. Read the full report here.