Union of Concerned Scientists annouce winner of 2008 editorial cartoon contest

Malden's entry was a finalist in the 2008 Science Idol Contest. Image: UCS

The Union of Concerned Scientists sponsors an annual cartoon contest highlighting political interference in science.

Justin Bilicki, an art director and editorial cartoonist in Brooklyn, NY, is the winner of this year's Science Idol editorial cartoon contest sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists. Bilicki's cartoon and the work of 11 others will be featured in UCS's 2009 Scientific Integrity Calendar.

Bilicki is auctioning off his winning cartoon (above) and donating the proceeds to UCS.

Database manager Paul Malden of Malden, MA, was a finalist. He told USC one of the reasons he entered the contest was to join the fight against government interference in science so his son can "grow up in a world where people believe in old-fashioned concepts like evolution and gravity." Malden recently launched a new cartoon web site called Blame My Mom.

UCS sponsors the contest each year to draw attention to the "misuse and distortion of federal government science." About 20,000 people cast votes online this year and other accomplished editorial cartoonists helped narrow down the 12 winning entries.