[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46802-46803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15408]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Request for Comments on the Draft HHS Scientific Integrity Policy
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Planning and Evaluation, HHS.
ACTION: Notice request for comment (RFC).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking
public comment on its draft Scientific Integrity Policy through the
Department of Health and Human Services website at https://www.hhs.gov/programs/research/scientificintegrity.
DATES: Submit comments on or before September 1, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be provided by email, Fax, or U.S.
mail.
Email: [email protected].
Fax: (202) 690-5882.
Mail: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Science and
Data Policy, Attn: Scientific Integrity Comments, 200 Independence
Avenue SW, Room 429E, Washington, DC 20201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Casey Sullivan, (202) 205-8189.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft Department of Health and Human
Services Scientific Integrity Policy is provided as part of
implementation of the Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in
Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-based
Policymaking,\1\ to ensure that Agency stakeholders are given an
opportunity to comment on this policy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/memorandum-on-restoring-trust-in-government-through-scientific-integrity-and-evidence-based-policymaking/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HHS developed the draft Scientific Integrity Policy (the draft
policy) based on the National Science and Technology Council Framework
for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice.\2\ The draft
policy includes specific provisions prohibiting political interference,
ensuring independent review of scientific activities, facilitating the
free flow of scientific information, prohibiting suppression or delay
of scientific findings for non-scientific reasons, forbidding
censorship or alteration of scientific findings, and protecting against
retaliation. The draft policy also establishes clear procedures for
reporting and handling allegations of
[[Page 46803]]
scientific integrity violations, including those involving alleged
political interference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/01-2023-Framework-for-Federal-Scientific-Integrity-Policy-and-Practice.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This public comment request is an opportunity for HHS to refine and
strengthen the draft policy. We look forward to receiving your comments
by September 1, 2023. The text of the draft policy is available through
the Department of Health and Human Services website at https://www.hhs.gov/programs/research/scientificintegrity. Following public
comment, HHS's final Scientific Integrity Policy will be published on
the HHS website by February 2024. The website will include a mechanism
for reporting allegations of loss of scientific integrity in HHS work.
For those who may not have internet access, a hard copy can be
requested from the contact point, Casey Sullivan, (202) 205-8189.
Sharon Arnold,
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Science and Data
Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 2023-15408 Filed 7-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-05-P