 the letter, her office said Tuesday. </div>
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<div class="articletext">In past statements, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson's office has defended controversial shakeouts of science advisory panels as the privilege of the party in power, and as a means of ensuring that diverse interests are represented.  </div>
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<div class="articletext">By invoking existing ethical laws, CSPI hopes to get action on the issue, Sharpe told <i>The Scientist</i>.</div>
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