[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 237 (Friday, December 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 76997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31056]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Public Consultation on Personnel Reliability and Culture of 
Responsibility Issues

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of Public Consultation on Guidance for Enhancing 
Personnel Reliability and Strengthening the Culture of Responsibility 
at the Local Level.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), 
an advisory committee to the Federal Government, is hosting a public 
consultation to obtain input from the scientific community and general 
public regarding strategies for enhancing personnel reliability and 
strengthening the culture of responsibility at facilities that conduct 
research with dangerous pathogens. The discussion will inform NSABB 
deliberations and ultimately the development of an NSABB report on the 
topic.

Date and Time:  The one day public consultation will be held on January 
5, 2011 from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Bethesda Hyatt 
Regency, 7400 Wisconsin Avenue (One Bethesda Metro Center), Bethesda, 
MD 20814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ronna Hill, NIH Office of 
Biotechnology Activities, by e-mail at [email protected] or by 
telephone at 301-435-2137. Faxes may be sent to the NIH Office of 
Biotechnology Activities at 301-496-9839.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In light of heightened concerns about insider threats at facilities 
that conduct research with highly pathogenic agents, the NSABB was 
tasked with advising on ways to enhance personnel reliability among 
individuals with access to select agents. In its 2009 report, the NSABB 
recommended a number of ways to strengthen personnel reliability, 
including by enhancing the culture of responsibility that currently 
exists within the scientific community, particularly with respect to 
biosecurity and dual use research. The U.S. Government has asked the 
NSABB to expand on its general recommendations in this regard and to 
develop specific guidance that reflects broad input from the scientific 
community.
    The NSABB is seeking input from the scientific community on 
practices that will strengthen personnel reliability and enhance the 
culture of responsibility regarding biosecurity. This input will inform 
NSABB deliberations on these topics and contribute to the development 
of guidance that is sound, effective, and feasible.
    The meeting will be structured around five discussion panels: (1) 
Engaged institutional leadership for promoting biosecurity, personnel 
reliability, and a culture of responsibility; (2) Encouraging 
biosecurity awareness and promoting responsible conduct in the 
laboratory through communication, lab rapport, and a strong sense of 
team; (3) Peer reporting of concerning behaviors; (4) Addressing 
impediments to disclosure of negative information about job candidates; 
and (5) Assessment of effectiveness and impact of practices for 
strengthening personnel reliability and culture of responsibility. Each 
session will include ample time for input from meeting attendees. 
Specific discussion questions are noted on the meeting agenda, which 
can be accessed at http://www.biosecurityboard.gov.
    The meeting is open to the public and is free of charge. Please 
note that this meeting will not be webcast. Pre-registration is 
encouraged to ensure that we can accommodate all attendees. Please pre-
register at http://www.biosecurityboard.gov. Any individuals or 
organizations that cannot attend the meeting but wish to provide 
comments are encouraged to submit written comments to: 
[email protected].
    More information about the NSABB is available at http://www.biosecurityboard.gov.

    Dated: December 6, 2010.
Amy P. Patterson,
Acting Associate Director for Science Policy, NIH, National Institutes 
of Health.
[FR Doc. 2010-31056 Filed 12-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P