In October 2015 , '' Nature Biotechnology '' wrote that scientists like Folta have been " targeted because they speak inconvenient truths about GM technology " and stated that the funds " were tied neither to Folta directly nor to his research . His conflict of interest disclosures were wholly compliant with his university 's rules . He never used industry funds for personal gain . " The journal criticized the journalists for " cherry-picking " and creating " hostile environments for scientists that threaten vibrant rare species with extinction . " Many experts were highly critical of the move by USRTK . Jack Payne , head of the University of Florida 's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences , characterized this as an example of activist groups attempting to silence scientists who wish to engage in public discussion of politically controversial topics , describing it as a " spiral of silence " . Gretchen Goldman , writing for the Union of Concerned Scientists ( UCS ) , a nonprofit science advocacy organization , criticized the FOIA requests for being " overly wide " , saying it would create " chilling effects on researchers and confuse the public about the state of the science . " Nina Fedoroff , Peter Raven , and Phillip Sharp , three former presidents of the American Association for the Advancement of Science , wrote in '' The Guardian '' comparing the USRTK 's use of FOIA against scientists to " Climategate " and criticized the organization backing them for " promoting the interests of the organic food business " , calling their activities " anti-science " . Ralph Nader expressed support for the use of FOIA requests on scientists , calling them " appropriate subjects "
Climategate
Climatic Research Unit email controversy
Kevin Folta