[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 68 (Monday, April 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21158-21159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8434]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


VA Directive 0005 on Scientific Integrity: Availability for 
Review and Comment

AGENCY: Office of Policy and Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Federal Register Notice announces an opportunity for 
public review and comment on the Draft Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) Directive 0005 on Scientific Integrity. The Draft Directive 
incorporates the principles of scientific integrity contained in the 
Presidential Memorandum of March 9, 2009, and the Director, Office of 
Science and Technology Policy's Memorandum of December 17, 2010, on 
scientific integrity. It addresses how VA ensures quality science in 
its methods, review, policy application, and information dissemination.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft VA Directive 0005 on Scientific 
Integrity must be received on or before May 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.Regulations.gov; or by mail or hand-delivery to Director, 
Regulations Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 
273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response 
to ``Draft VA Directive 0005: Scientific Integrity.'' All comments 
received will be available for public inspection in the Office of 
Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, between the hours of 8 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Call (202) 
461-4902 for an appointment. Those without computer access may call Dr. 
Billy Jones at (202) 368-5836 to request a copy of the Draft Directive.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Billy E. Jones, MD, Senior Advisor to 
the Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning (008), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, at 202-461-5762. (This is not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Presidential Memorandum on Scientific Integrity and the Office 
of Science and Technology Policy 2010 guidance memorandum on scientific 
integrity call for ensuring the highest level of integrity in all 
aspects of the executive branch's involvement with scientific and 
technological processes.
    The Draft VA Directive 0005 on Scientific Integrity:
    [square] Fosters a culture of transparency, integrity, and ethical 
behavior in the development and application of scientific and 
technological findings in VA;
    [square] Protects the development, application, and dissemination 
of scientific and technological information from inappropriate 
political or commercial influence;
    [square] Ensures that selection and retention of candidates for 
science and technology positions are based on demonstrated knowledge, 
potential, credentials, experience, and integrity;
    [square] Prohibits suppression or alteration of scientific and 
technological finds for political purposes;
    [square] Affords whistleblower protections to employees who have 
scientific integrity concerns;
    [square] Upholds professional and governmental standards for the 
conduct of research, including the protection of human subjects, 
laboratory animal welfare, research safety and security; research 
information protection and privacy; and research integrity;
    [square] Promotes free flow and exchange of scientific and 
technological information within the scientific and medical 
communities, as well as to Veterans and the general public;

[[Page 21159]]

    [square] Ensures that clinical care, health care operations, and 
public health decisions are informed by sound scientific data and 
rigorous scientific analysis;
    [square] Upholds the independence, transparency, and diversity of 
Scientific Advisory Committees;
    [square] Encourages the full participation of employees in 
scientific and professional societies, publication and presentation of 
scientific and technological findings in scientific journals, and at 
professional meetings.
    In order to reach as many members of the public as possible, the 
Draft VA Directive 0005 on Scientific Integrity is available for public 
review and comment at http://www.va.gov/health/scint.asp. After the 
public comment period for this notice has closed, VA will make any 
necessary adjustments to the Draft Directive and publish a second 
notice responding to those comments.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. John R. 
Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on April 3, 2012, for publication.

    Dated: April 4, 2012.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General 
Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-8434 Filed 4-6-12; 8:45 am]
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