The question is who do you trust to evaluate the research and make policy decisions?
No one. Not that it matters, what matters is who we have, and who we're stuck with, and what they say and do, and WHY.
Its the age old Emperor's problem (or King or warlord or any leader, really)
Who guards the guards???
And can THEY be trusted??
And that's the problem with trust and credibility, once you damage those, they don't come back easily, or sometimes, ever.
Everyone who does a study, is being paid by someone. There is a very strong tendency to deliver what you think the guy paying you wants, so he will continue to give you work and you will keep getting paid.
People being paid by the govt face the same thing, Its the way we do things, and its terribly vulnerable to bias due to individuals desire for profit, either directly with money, or less directly with increased influence, or the advancement of a specific political ideology, theory, or religious beliefs.
No one should be above suspicion, no one is infallible and as the old saying goes, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Reagan said "Trust, ..but verify" and I think when possible that the best course.