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Craven Laboratories was an American research company based in Austin, Texas.

History

Craven Laboratories was the first chemical testing lab charged in the United States following the establishment of the Food and Drug Administration's Good Laboratory Practices regulations.

Scientific fraud

Investigation

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on March 1, 1991, that it was investigating Craven Laboratories for "allegedly falsifying test data used by chemical firms to win EPA approval of pesticides." The investigation was coordinated by the EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, DOJ Environmental Crimes Division, and the United States Attorney.

Indictments

In 1991, a federal grand jury indicted the laboratory's owner, Don Allen Craven, with felony counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, making false statements, concealment of material facts, and obstructing EPA proceedings. The head of the Quality Assurance Unit was also charged, as were several lab technicians.

Scope

At least 48 chemicals were approved on the basis of Craven's fraudulent research, 28 of which remained on the market in New Zealand as of 1993. In total, the FDA reported that Craven performed safety analysis for 262 companies.

Aftermath

Following the conclusion of the EPA's investigation, the Department of Justice announced on February 25, 1994, that the president of Craven Laboratories and fourteen of its former employees were adjudged guilty for the falsification of research data.

Monsanto has stated the Craven Labs investigation was started by the EPA after a pesticide industry task force discovered irregularities, that the studies had been repeated, and that Roundup's EPA certification does not now use any studies from Craven Labs.

Legal cases

Following Craven Laboratory's investigation, 11 multinational corporations filed suit against Craven for losses secondary to its misconduct.

See also

• Good Laboratory Practice
• Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories
• Pesticide regulation in the United States

References

1. Jensen, Carl (1997). "Fraudulent Safety Tests Deceive the American People". 20 Years of Censored News. Seven Stories Press. pp. 125. ISBN 978-1888363524.
2. ^ Novak, Roger A. (2001). "The long arm of the lab laws". Today's Chemist at Work. 10 (11). Retrieved 2015-12-01.
3. Collier, Bill (1991-03-02). "EPA studies allegations Austin lab faked pesticide data". The Austin American-Statesman.
4. "Austin Lab, president indicted in federal pesticide testing case". The Victoria Advocate. 1992-09-30. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
5. "EPA FY1994 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Accomplishments Report" (PDF). United States Environmental Protection Agency.
6. ^ Frederikson, Tim (March 1993). "Pesticide Safety Fraud". New Zealand Science Monthly. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
7. "Texas firm probed for residue studies". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. 1991-03-01. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
8. MacCormack, Zeke (1993-12-05). "Craven Laboratories owner pleads guilty: Craven made false statements to EPA about pesticide tests". The Austin American-Statesman. In accepting the plea agreement Thursday, four days into his trial, Craven became the 15th employee of Craven Laboratories Inc. to admit guilt in what prosecutors have called the most significant environmental case in Central Texas history.
9. "Backgrounder: Testing Fraud: IBT and Craven Laboratories" (PDF). Monsanto. June 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
10. "Testing Fraud: IBT and Craven Labs" (PDF). Backgrounder. Monsanto Company. June 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-07-12.

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