Legal representation from British Petroleum and the U.S. Federal Government have barred university scientists at several major southern institutions from collecting samples on the Gulf Coast. In order for these researchers to have permission to conduct studies in that area, they must sign a document which allows lawyers from both B.P. and the Federal Government to have access and control over their findings. Scientists are outraged and call it a violation of free speech and an insult to the peer-reviewed process.

For more information on this controversy, go to: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129304546