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By Category: Policy & Initiatives

New National Biodefense Science Board members will advise HHS

Business Wire (press release)New National Biodefense Science Board members will advise HHSBusiness Wire (press release)WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Six experts from outside the federal government will join the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB), a federal advisory …and more »

U.S. Bioethics Commission Gives Green Light to Synthetic Biology

The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues says there is no need to temporarily halt research or to impose new regulations on a controversial new field.In a report being issued Thursday, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues says that at present the technology — which involves creating novel organisms through  Read More »

Presidential Commission on Bioethics Releases Synthetic Biology Report

WASHINGTON—Today, the Presidential Commission on Bioethics released a new report calling for enhanced federal oversight of synthetic biology. The report is the result of over six months of discussions and deliberation, including three public meetings, and contains 18 recommendations stressing the need for enhanced government transparency, high-level coordination, periodic risk assessments, ethics education for scientists  Read More »

TFAH Releases Ready or Not? 2010

The eighth annual Ready or Not? Protecting the Public from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism report was released today by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ready or Not? provides the public and policymakers with an independent analysis of the progress and vulnerabilities in the nation’s public health preparedness. 14  Read More »

U.S. Prepares for BWC Review Conference

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is taking strides to prepare for the next Biological Weapons Convention review conference one year from now (see GSN, Dec. 7). (Dec. 14) – U.S. envoy Laura Kennedy has been selected to lead the Obama administration’s delegation to the 2011 Biological Weapons Convention review conference (U.S. State Department photo). The  Read More »