[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7032]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

 

Meeting of Panel/Request for Public Comment

    The third meeting of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human 
Embryo Research Panel will be held April 11-12 at the Holiday Inn 
Bethesda, 8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. The meeting will 
begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. on April 11 and at 12:30 
p.m. on April 12. The Panel is a group of special consultants to the 
Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD), NIH, established to recommend 
guidelines for Federal funding of research involving the ex utero human 
embryo resulting from in vitro fertilization or other sources.
    The NIH 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 embryo in research and develop guidelines to 
govern the review and conduct of Federally-funded research. The Panel's 
charge is to consider various areas of research involving the ex utero 
human embryo and provide advice as to those areas it views 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 
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.
    During part of its first and second meeting, the Panel reviewed the 
wide range of scientific and human health benefits that could result 
from governmental support of research involving the human embryo. At 
the third meeting, Panel deliberations will focus on the following 
issues:
    The competing ethical frameworks with respect to the moral status 
of the human embryo. The acceptability of human embryo research from 
the point of gastrulation (the beginning of the process that culminates 
in the formation of the primitive streak). Issues raised by research on 
human embryo that will not be transferred.
    Ethically acceptable sources of human embryo or eggs, informed 
consent requirements, issues raised by compensation of sperm/egg 
providers, and concerns regarding commercialization.
    The need for additional mechanisms for the review, evaluation, and 
monitoring of human embryo research at local and/or national levels.
    The NIH continues to seek public comment on these and other issues 
raised by Federal funding of human embryo research and encourages 
interested individuals and organizations to share with the Panel their 
views and perspectives on these important matters. 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.
    As with previous meetings of the Panel, an opportunity is also 
being provided at the April meeting for interested individuals and 
organizations to make brief oral presentations to the Panel. 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.

    Dated: March 18, 1994.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-7032 Filed 3-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M