[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4176]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 24, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Meetings of Panel/Request for Public Comment
Notice is hereby given of the future meeting dates of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Embryo Research Panel, a panel of
special consultants to the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD),
NIH, established to recommend guidelines for Federal funding of human
embryo research. Panel meetings will be held March 14, April 11, May 4,
and, tentatively, June 21. The March meeting will be held from 8:30
a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel, 5151 Pooks Hill Road,
Bethesda, Maryland. Logistical information about subsequent Panel
meetings will be available from the contact office listed below.
Until June 1993, Federal regulations governing research on human
subjects (45 CFR part 46) required research involving in vitro
fertilization (IVF) to be reviewed by an Ethics Advisory Board (EAB).
Because of the absence of an EAB since 1980, Federal funding of IVF
protocols was not possible. With the enactment of the NIH
Revitalization Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-43), the regulatory provision
requiring EAB review of IVF proposals was nullified. As a result, IVF
proposals, as well as research involving human embryos that result from
IVF or other sources, may now be considered for Federal funding.
The NIH has received a number of applications for support in this
area and in the related field of parthenogenesis. However, before
proceeding with the consideration of specific human embryo research
proposals for funding, the NIH must address the profound moral and
ethical issues raised by the use of human embryos in research and
develop guidelines to govern the review and conduct of Federally-funded
research. Panel members will be asked to consider various areas of
research involving the human embryo and provide advice as to those
areas they view to be acceptable for Federal funding, areas that
warrant additional review, and areas that are unacceptable for Federal
support. For those areas of research considered acceptable for Federal
funding, the Panel will be asked to recommend specific guidelines for
the review and conduct of this research. Issues related to human germ-
line gene modification are not within the Panel's purview. The Panel's
final report will be presented to the ACD for review.
A critical part of the process of considering these issues is to
gain an understanding of the diversity of beliefs and opinions held
about the moral status of the human embryo and about Federal funding of
research involving the human embryo. The NIH is seeking public comment
on Federal funding of human embryo research for consideration by the
Panel and encourages interested individuals and organizations to share
with the Panel their views and perspectives on this important topic.
Those who wish to submit written comments of any length should forward
these to Steven Muller, Ph.D., Chair, NIH Human Embryo Research Panel,
c/o National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building #1,
room 218, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. To ensure that public input is
available to the Panel during its deliberations, written comments
should be received in advance of the Panel's fourth scheduled meeting,
May 4, 1994.
Each meeting of the Panel will also provide an opportunity for
interested individuals and organizations to make brief oral
presentations to the Panel. During the first Panel meeting, public
commentary was heard in a two-hour session. To register to make an oral
statement before the Panel, individuals and organizations should
contact Ms. Peggy Schnoor at the NIH by telephoning 301-496-1454 or by
sending a facsimile message to 301-402-0280 or 301-402-1759. Oral
statements must not exceed five minutes in length, and a copy of the
remarks should be forwarded to the above address one week in advance of
the scheduled presentation date. Opportunities to present statements
will be determined by the order in which requests are received.
The NIH will endeavor to provide seating for all members of the
public who wish to attend the meetings. Individuals are, however, asked
to notify the NIH of their interest in attending by using the telephone
or facsimile numbers listed above. Individuals who require special
accommodations are also asked to contact Ms. Schnoor at the above
number. General questions about the Panel or future meetings should
also be directed to Ms. Schnoor.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-4176 Filed 2-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
