Kathleen Koch reports for CNN. Excerpt:
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The director of one of the nation’s nuclear weapons labs has told employees they don’t have to cooperate when asked medical questions by government polygraphers, CNN has learned. Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories, with headquarters near Albuquerque, New Mexico, have expressed concern that, before being given lie detector tests, they are required to answer examiners’ questions about what medications they are taking, when, how much and why. The weapons lab scientists claim such questions violate their privacy rights.
In a message sent Monday to employees, obtained by CNN, labs director Paul Robinson said, “You should not feel obliged to provide any private medical information as a part of the polygraph process.” Robinson continued that, if necessary, scientists should “ask to have the session rescheduled.” Energy Department spokesman Jean LaPato said the DOE was aware of the concerns and that agency representatives were meeting this week with Sandia representatives on how to best address them.
“We’re not yet at a point when these decisions can be made,” said LaPato.
Sandia’s chief medical officer, Larry Clevenger, last month recommended the testing be halted until a National Academy of Sciences study on the polygraph test’s validity is complete.