[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