[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]


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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).

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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.
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    \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/.
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    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.
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    \2\ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/01-2023-Framework-for-Federal-Scientific-Integrity-Policy-and-Practice.pdf.
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    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]
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