Forbidden Words

STEM
Health
Literacy
Edward Hessler


This can't be true, can it?  Given the current administration it passes the smell (stink) test. It is likely true.

I've heard conflicting responses from what passes for the administration but didn't bother to write them or the source down (NBC news????)

On December 15, 2017 Lena H. Sun and Juliet Eilperin of the Washington Post reported that the "Trump administration is prohibiting officals at the...Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta...from using a list of seven words or phrases...in official documents being prepared for next year's budget."

I hope you are ready to read those words or phrases. Some of them are familiar and well-established science words/phrases.  Others are good words in the context say of a budget request.good science words.  Here they are--a sit-down might be a good move.

--vulnerable
--entitled
--diversity
--transgender
--fetus
--evidence-based
--science-based

Were substitutes provided? In some cases but not all.  Here is one and this one may require a lie-down. For science- or evidence-based, the "suggested phrase is 'CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes.'"

Sun's and Eiperin's essay includes more information, some history and reaction from CDC employees present at the meeting.. "‘Are you serious? Are you kidding?’”