Bioethics council proposed

Bioethics council proposed WASHINGTON - The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on Friday proposed to establish a National Bioethics Advisory Commission. The NBAC "will provide advice and make recommendations to the National Science and Technology Council, other appropriate entities and the public, on bioethical issues arising from research on human biology and behavior, and the applications of that research," according to a notice published in the Federal Register. The commission's power would be limited to advisory functions. It "would be asked to identify and develop broad over-arching principles to govern the ethical conduct of biological and behavioral research and the applications of that research. The proposed NBAC would not have responsibility for the review and approval of individual projects," according the notice. The charter specifies two prospective areas of inquiry - the management and uses of genetic information and the protection of the rights and welfare of research subjects. Several specific issues listed include: genetic privacy; screening for genetic disorders; intellectual property rights; access to research data or materials developed with public funding; current views on informed consent; and implementation of federal human subject research guidelines. The commission would consist of "not more than 15 members" appointed by the president who are "non-government experts and community representatives with special qualifications and competence to deal effectively with bioethical issues." Primary categories of expertise to be represented would include: bioethics/theology; social/behavioral science; law; medicine/allied health professions; and biological research. The comment period for the proposal runs through Oct. 11. Comments should be directed to Bioethics Docket, Office of S&TP, Room 436 OEOB, Washington DC 20500 or fax (202)456-6137.

WASHINGTON - The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on Friday proposed to establish a National Bioethics Advisory Commission...