[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14452-14453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06015]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Comments on National Bioethics Advisory Bodies

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues 
is requesting public comment on the role of past, present, and future 
national bioethics bodies, such as this one, in the United States and 
elsewhere.

[[Page 14453]]


DATES: To ensure consideration, comments must be received by July 1, 
2016. Comments received after this date will be considered 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: Lisa M. Lee, Executive Director, 
Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Telephone: 
202-233-3960. Email: [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 will conclude at the end of the Presidential 
administration, and in its two final meetings will reflect on the past, 
present, and future of national bioethics advisory bodies. These 
meetings will include discussion of the role of national advisory 
bodies in the developing public policy in the United States and 
elsewhere, and consideration of the future of U.S. national bioethics 
advisory bodies that might follow.
    The Commission is interested in receiving comments from 
individuals, groups, and professional communities who wish to join the 
Commission in reflecting on the past, present, and future of national 
bioethics advisory bodies in the United States and elsewhere. The 
Commission is particularly interested in receiving public commentary 
regarding:
     The advantages and disadvantages of different models for 
national bioethics advisory bodies, e.g., standing or temporary, 
narrowly or broadly focused (examining one topic or issue or a variety 
of issues);
     The lessons we can learn from national bodies in other 
countries to inform how U.S. bodies might work;
     The influence of national bioethics bodies on bioethics as 
a field; other academic fields, such as science, medicine, and 
technology; and public policy;
     The future of national bioethics advisory groups in the 
United States.
    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: March 1, 2016.
Lisa M. Lee,
Executive Director, Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical 
Issues.
[FR Doc. 2016-06015 Filed 3-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4150-06-P