[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55914-55915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23030]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Comments on Research Across Borders: Proceedings of 
the International Research Panel of the Presidential Commission for the 
Study of Bioethical Issues

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health, Presidential Commission for the Study 
of Bioethical Issues.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues 
is requesting public comment on the report of the International 
Research Panel titled, Research Across Borders: Proceedings of the 
International Research Panel of the Presidential Commission for the 
Study of Bioethical Issues, available for review at http://www.bioethics.gov.

DATES: To assure consideration, comments must be received by October 
11, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Individuals, groups, and organizations interested in 
commenting on this study may submit comments by e-mail to 
[email protected] or by mail to the following address: Public 
Commentary, Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, 
1425 New York Ave., NW., Suite C-100, Washington, DC 20005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hillary Wicai Viers, Communications 
Director, Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, 
1425 New York Avenue, NW., Suite C-100, Washington, DC 20005. 
Telephone: 202-233-3960. E-mail: [email protected]. 
Additional information may be obtained at http://www.bioethics.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 24, 2009, the President 
established the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical 
Issues (Commission) to advise him on bioethical issues generated by 
novel and emerging research in biomedicine and related areas of science 
and technology. The Commission is charged to identify and promote 
policies and practices that assure ethically responsible conduct of 
scientific research, healthcare delivery, and technological innovation. 
In undertaking these duties, the Commission seeks to identify and 
examine specific bioethical, legal, and social issues related to 
potential scientific and technological advances; examine diverse 
perspectives and possibilities for international collaboration on these 
issues; and recommend legal, regulatory, or policy actions as 
appropriate.
    On October 1, 2010, the U.S. Government disclosed that it had 
supported research on sexually transmitted diseases in Guatemala from 
1946 to 1948 involving the intentional infection of vulnerable human 
populations. In response, President Barack Obama directed the 
Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues (the 
Commission) to ``oversee a thorough fact-finding investigation into the 
specifics'' of the U.S. Public Health Service supported research, and 
to conduct a review of current human subjects protection ``to determine 
if Federal regulations and international standards adequately guard the 
health and well-being of participants in scientific studies supported 
by the Federal Government.'' The President asked specifically for 
assurance ``that current rules for research participants protect people 
from harm or unethical treatment, domestically as well as 
internationally.'' President Obama directed the Commission to consult 
with its counterparts in the global community and to seek the insight 
of international experts as part of its work on contemporary 
protections for human subjects of research. The Commission

[[Page 55915]]

assembled a subcommittee called the International Research Panel, which 
met three times in 2011. The proceedings of the International Research 
Panel are now available for public review and comment at the 
Commission's Web site, www.bioethics.gov.
    Please address comments by e-mail to [email protected], or by mail 
to the following address: Public Commentary, Presidential Commission 
for the Study of Bioethical Issues, 1425 New York Ave., NW., Suite C-
100, Washington, DC 20005. Comments will be publicly available, 
including any personally identifiable or confidential business 
information that they contain. Trade secrets should not be submitted.

    Dated: August 30, 2011.
Valerie H. Bonham,
Executive Director, Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical 
Issues.
[FR Doc. 2011-23030 Filed 9-8-11; 8:45 am]
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