[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7032]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 25, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Meeting of Panel/Request for Public Comment
The third meeting of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human
Embryo Research Panel will be held April 11-12 at the Holiday Inn
Bethesda, 8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. The meeting will
begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. on April 11 and at 12:30
p.m. on April 12. The Panel is a group of special consultants to the
Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD), NIH, established to recommend
guidelines for Federal funding of research involving the ex utero human
embryo resulting from in vitro fertilization or other sources.
The NIH received a number of applications for support in this area
and in the related field of parthenogenesis. However, before proceeding
with the consideration of specific human embryo research proposals for
funding the NIH must address the profound moral and ethical issues
raised by the use of human embryo in research and develop guidelines to
govern the review and conduct of Federally-funded research. The Panel's
charge is to consider various areas of research involving the ex utero
human embryo and provide advice as to those areas it views to be
acceptable for Federal funding, areas that warrant additional review,
and areas that are unacceptable for Federal support. For those areas of
research considered acceptable for Federal funding, the Panel will
recommend specific guidelines for the review and conduct of this
research. Issues related to human germ-line gene modification are not
within the Panel's purview. The Panel's final report will be presented
to the ACD for review.
During part of its first and second meeting, the Panel reviewed the
wide range of scientific and human health benefits that could result
from governmental support of research involving the human embryo. At
the third meeting, Panel deliberations will focus on the following
issues:
The competing ethical frameworks with respect to the moral status
of the human embryo. The acceptability of human embryo research from
the point of gastrulation (the beginning of the process that culminates
in the formation of the primitive streak). Issues raised by research on
human embryo that will not be transferred.
Ethically acceptable sources of human embryo or eggs, informed
consent requirements, issues raised by compensation of sperm/egg
providers, and concerns regarding commercialization.
The need for additional mechanisms for the review, evaluation, and
monitoring of human embryo research at local and/or national levels.
The NIH continues to seek public comment on these and other issues
raised by Federal funding of human embryo research and encourages
interested individuals and organizations to share with the Panel their
views and perspectives on these important matters. Those who wish to
submit written comments of any length should forward these to Steven
Muller, Ph.D., Chair, NIH Human Embryo Research Panel,
c/o National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building #1,
room 218, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. To ensure that public input is
available to the Panel during its deliberations, written comments
should be received in advance of the Panel's fourth scheduled meeting,
May 4, 1994.
As with previous meetings of the Panel, an opportunity is also
being provided at the April meeting for interested individuals and
organizations to make brief oral presentations to the Panel. To
register to make an oral statement before the Panel, individuals and
organizations should contact Ms. Peggy Schnoor at the NIH by
telephoning 301-496-1454 or by sending a facsimile message to 301-402-
0280 or 301-402-1759. Oral statements must not exceed five minutes in
length, and a copy of the remarks should be forwarded to the above
address one week in advance of the scheduled presentation date.
Opportunities to present statements will be determined by the order in
which requests are received.
The NIH will endeavor to provide seating for all members of the
public who wish to attend the meetings. Individuals are, however, asked
to notify the NIH of their interest in attending by using the telephone
or facsimile numbers listed above. Individuals who require special
accommodations are also asked to contact Ms. Schnoor at the above
number. General questions about the Panel or future meetings should
also be directed to Ms. Schnoor.
Dated: March 18, 1994.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-7032 Filed 3-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M