Scientist Says Smithsonian Toned Down Global Warming Exhibit

The former associate director in charge of exhibitions at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Robert Sullivan, says the institution tried to please the federal government by changing a global warming exhibit.

Sullivan resigned resigned last fall after 16 years at the museum after higher-ups tried to reassign him.

Among other things, the script, or official text, of last year's exhibit was rewritten to minimize and inject more uncertainty into the relationship between global warming and humans...

Also, officials omitted scientists' interpretation of some research and let visitors draw their own conclusions from the data, he said. In addition, graphs were altered ''to show that global warming could go either way,'' Sullivan said.

Even though the government pays the Smithsonian's bills, I still like to think of it as a valuable source of science and history. Sadly, the article adds that this wouldn't be the first time the institution was accused of editing an exhibit because of political pressure.

Here's a link to the exhibit.

Smithsonian Accused of Altering Exhibit [Associated Press]