[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5412-5413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02072]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Comments on the Ethical Considerations of 
Neuroscience Research and the Application of Neuroscience Research 
Findings

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, 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 ethical considerations of 
neuroscience research and the application of neuroscience research 
findings.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments must be received by April 1, 
2014. Comments received after this date will be considered only as time 
permits.

ADDRESSES: Individuals, groups, and organizations interested in 
commenting on this topic may submit comments by email 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. 
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 (the 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 with identifying and 
promoting policies and practices that ensure ethically responsible 
conduct of scientific research and health care delivery. 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.
    The Commission is considering the conduct and implications of 
neuroscience research. On July 1, 2013, the President asked the 
Commission to ``identify proactively a set of core ethical standards--
both to guide neuroscience research and to address some of the ethical 
dilemmas that may be raised by the application of neuroscience research 
findings.'' The President requested that the Commission seek input from 
``scientists, ethicists, legal scholars, and members of the public'' to 
inform its deliberations.
    The Commission is interested in receiving comments from 
individuals, groups, and professional communities regarding the ethical 
considerations of neuroscience research and the application of 
neuroscience research findings. The Commission is particularly 
interested in receiving public commentary regarding:
     The diversity and scope of ethical considerations related 
to neuroscience as a field;
     core ethical standards that guide neuroscience research, 
including consistency (or lack thereof) across disciplines, and 
potential tension among the guiding standards;
     advances in neuroscience research that raise novel ethical 
issues or heighten existing ethical tensions;
     whether emphasis on particular aspects of the Common Rule 
(or other research ethics regulations) is needed given the particular 
implications of some neuroscience research or whether any part of the 
Common Rule needs clarification in order to adequately protect 
participants in neuroscience research specifically;
     potential implications of discoveries that might flow from 
studies of the brain and questions that might arise from neuroscience 
research findings and their applications, including questions about the 
potential implications for privacy, personal agency, and moral 
responsibility for one's actions; stigmatization and discrimination; 
and the appropriate use of neuroscience in the justice system;
     strategies for integrating from a project's inception 
ethical considerations into neuroscience research, technological 
development, and scientific research generally; and

[[Page 5413]]

     ethical considerations concerning communication about 
neuroscience research and neuroscience research applications by 
scientists, journalists, and others.
    To this end, the Commission is inviting interested parties to 
provide input and advice through written comments.
    Comments will be publicly available, including any personally 
identifiable or confidential business information that they contain. 
Trade secrets should not be submitted.

    Dated: January 17, 2014.
Lisa M. Lee,
Executive Director, Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical 
Issues.
[FR Doc. 2014-02072 Filed 1-30-14; 8:45 am]
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