Here is a list of questions for candidates issued by the brand new organization Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA). If this seems to be coming a little late it is because SEA is about a month old! They were formed to counteract attacks on and censorship of science by politicians, much of which I have reported on here.

I urge you to contact all candidates offices in your area and quiz them on these questions and take note of their answers. I have sent them to three pairs of candidates: Steve Harrison vs. Vito Fossella (NY-13); Clarie McCaskill vs. Jim Talent (MO Senate); and Tammy Duckworth vs. Peter Roskam (IL-6). I choose these races because either they are close to me, or because one side accuses the other of being anti-science and I want to report on what BOTH sides have to say. I will report any responses (if any!) Monday. If you do the same, please let me know.

Scientists and Engineers for America Candidate Questions:

1. Do you support the Science and Engineering Bill of Rights (www.sefora.org)?

2. Do you support lifting the President's ban on the use of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research given appropriate ethical guidelines

3. Should emergency contraception as recommended by FDA scientific staff and advisory committees be available over the counter for all women of childbearing age?

4. Do you endorse immediate and significant actions to diminish the effects of global warming caused primarily by burning fossil fuel and other human activity?

5. Should the research budgets of federal research agencies be increased substantially?

6. Do you support the teaching of Intelligent Design or creationism as an alternative theory to evolution in science classes?

7. Do you support strengthening the science and engineering advice for Congress by creating an organization to replace the Office of Technology Assessment (abolished in 1995)?

8. Should the United States ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and stop all work on new nuclear weapons?

9. Should the United States adopt visa policies that encourage highly skilled scientists and engineers from around the world to study and work in the United States?

10. Should there be a significant increase in federal funding for training science and mathematics teachers and development of high-quality curricular materials - including teaching materials that use new information technologies like the Internet?