[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65126-65127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27030]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Establishment of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, 
Health, and Society

ACTION: Notice of establishment.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) has determined that the establishment of the Secretary's Advisory 
Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society is necessary and in the 
public interest in connection with the duties of the Secretary, HHS, 
and that such duties can best be performed through the advice and 
counsel of such a group.
    The Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society 
is established to: (1) Provide a forum for expert discussion and 
deliberation and the formulation of advice and recommendations on the 
range of complex and sensitive medical, ethical, legal and social 
issues raised by new technological developments in human genetics; (2) 
assist the Department of Health and Human Services and, at their 
request, other Federal agencies in exploring issues raised by the 
development and application of genetic technologies; and, (3) make 
recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
concerning how such issues should be addressed.
    The function of the committee is to explore, analyze, and 
deliberate on the broad range of human health and societal issues 
raised by the development and use, as well as potential misuse, of 
genetic technologies and make recommendations to the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services (Secretary), and other entities as 
appropriate. The scope of the Committee's charge includes assessing how 
genetic technologies are being integrated into health care and public 
health; studying the clinical, ethical, legal and societal implications 
of new medical applications, such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, 
and emerging technological approaches to clinical testing, identifying 
opportunities and gaps in research and data collection efforts; 
exploring the use of genetics in bioterrorism; examining current patent 
policy and licensing practices for their impact on access to genetic 
technologies; analyzing uses of genetic information in education, 
employment, insurance, including health, disability, long-term care, 
and life, and law, including family, immigration, and forensics; and 
serving as a public forum for discussion of emerging scientific, 
ethical, legal and social issues raised by genetic technologies.
    The Committee shall consist of a core of 13 members, including the 
Chair. Members and the Chair shall be selected by the Secretary, or 
designee, from authorities knowledgeable about molecular biology, human 
genetics, health care, public health, bioterrorism, ethics, forensics, 
law, psychology, social sciences, education, occupational

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health, insurance, and other relevant fields. Of the appointed members, 
at least two members shall be specifically selected for their knowledge 
of consumer issues and concerns and the view and perspectives of the 
general public.
    Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the 
Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society charter 
will expire two years from the date of establishment.

    Dated: October 17, 2002.
LaVerne Stringfield,
Director, NIH Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy.
[FR Doc. 02-27030 Filed 10-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M