[Federal Register: June 20, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 118)]
[Notices]
[Page 34015]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn07-98]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Establishment of the National Biodefense Science Board
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and
Response.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary announces establishment of the
National Biodefense Science Board. The Board will provide expert advice
and guidance to the Secretary on scientific, technical and other
matters of special interest to the Department of Health and Human
Services regarding activities to prevent, prepare for and respond to
adverse health effects of public health emergencies resulting from
current and future chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological
agents, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. Resumes
or curricula vitae from qualified individuals who wish to be considered
for membership on the Board are currently being accepted.
To Submit a resume or curriculum vitae, send e-mail to
nbsbnominations@hhs.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan Cibulsky at 202-260-7000 or
nbsbquestions@hhs.gov. The Board's charter and additional information
may be accessed online at http://www.hhs.gov/aspr/omsph/nbsb.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority
Section 402 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (Pub.
L. 109-417) (codified at Section 319M of Title III of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f), as amended) directs the Secretary to
establish the National Biodefense Science Board.
Function
The Board shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary
on scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. Duties include, but are
not limited to, (1) advising the Secretary on current and future
trends, challenges, and opportunities presented by advances in
biological and life sciences, biotechnology, and genetic engineering
with respect to threats posed by naturally occurring infectious
diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents;
(2) at the request of the Secretary, reviewing and considering any
information and findings received from the working groups established
under the authority of the Board; and (3) at the request of the
Secretary, providing recommendations and findings for expanded,
intensified, and coordinated biodefense research and development
activities.
Structure
The Board shall consist of 13 voting members, including the
Chairperson; additionally, there may be non-voting ex officio members.
Members and the Chairperson shall be appointed by the Secretary from
the among the Nation's preeminent scientific, public health and medical
experts, as follows: (a) Such Federal officials as the Secretary
determines are necessary to support the functions of the Board; (b)
four individuals from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device
industries, (c) four academicians; (d) five other members as determined
appropriate by the Secretary, one of whom must be a practicing health
care professional and one of whom must be from an organization
representing health care consumers. Additional members will be selected
from among state and local governments, emergency medical responders,
other components of the public health community, and organizations
representing other appropriate stakeholders. Members shall be invited
to serve overlapping three-year terms. Unless renewed by appropriate
action, the Board shall terminate five years after the date on which it
was established.
Dated: May 31, 2007.
William C. Vanderwagon,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
[FR Doc. 07-3032 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]
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