[Federal Register: August 27, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 166)]
[Notices]
[Page 52752-52753]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27au10-60]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Request for Comments on Synthetic Biology
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public
Health and Science, The Presidential Commission for the Study of
Bioethical Issues.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues
is requesting public comment on the emerging science of synthetic
biology, including its potential applications and risks, as well as
appropriate ethical boundaries to assure that America reaps the
benefits of this new technology.
DATES: To assure consideration, comments must be received by October 1,
2010.
ADDRESSES: Individuals, groups, and organizations interested in
commenting on this topic may submit comments by e-mail to
info@bioethics.gov or by mail to the following address: Public
Commentary, The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical
Issues, 1425 New York Ave., NW., Suite C-100, Washington, DC 20005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Diane M. Gianelli, Director of
Communications, The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical
Issues, 1425 New York Avenue, NW.,
[[Page 52753]]
Suite C-100, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: 202/233-3960. E-mail:
info@bioethics.gov. Additional information may be obtained by viewing
the Web site: http://www.bioethics.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 24, 2009, the President
established the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical
Issues to advise him on bioethical issues generated by novel and
emerging research in biomedicine and related areas of science and
technology. The Commission is charged to identify and promote policies
and practices that assure ethically responsible conduct of scientific
research, healthcare delivery, and technological innovation. In
undertaking these duties, the Commission will identify and examine
specific bioethical, legal, and social issues related to potential
scientific and technological advances; examine diverse perspectives and
possibilities for dynamic international collaboration on these issues,
and recommend legal, regulatory, or policy actions as appropriate.
As its first order of business, the Commission has begun an inquiry
into the emerging science of synthetic biology. The President asked the
Commission to address this topic on May 20, 2010, following the
announcement that the J. Craig Venter Institute had successfully
engineered a synthetic cell--the insertion into a bacterium of a
complete, functional genome synthesized entirely from a digitized
sequence that replaced the native genome of the host over a series of
replications. Daniel G. Gibson et al., Creation of a Bacterial Cell
Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized Genome, Science Express (May 20,
2010). The President charged the Commission to consider any potential
medical, environmental, security, and other benefits, as well as any
related risks. Additionally, the President asked the Commission to
develop ``recommendations about any actions the Federal government
should take to ensure that America reaps the benefits of this
developing field of science while identifying appropriate ethical
boundaries and minimizing identified risks.'' The Commission will
report back its finding and recommendations later this year.
To begin its work, the Commission convened a public meeting in
Washington, DC on July 8-9, 2010. At that meeting, representatives with
expertise in science, ethics, and public policy, as well as advocates
with diverse perspectives on this new field provided information and
insight to help guide the Commission in its thinking. Leading
scientists in the field created context for the discussion by
explaining the state of the science and discussing possible
applications. Among the anticipated benefits discussed were employing
bacterial cells as microscopic factories in the production of
pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
Additionally, with regard to potential risks, the Commission heard
discussion about possible biosafety, biosecurity and environmental
concerns, including risks that may arise as synthetic biology relies on
organisms that can evolve and self-replicate, and existing practices to
protect against these risks. The Commission also heard discussion about
ethical boundaries and the views of faith communities.
As the approaches to, and applications of, synthetic biology
proliferate, the Commission wishes to develop a multifaceted
understanding of its scientific and technological implications, and
learn more about the views of the public on the existing or potential
ethical and social ramifications. To this end, the Commission is
inviting interested parties to provide input and advice through written
comments. Among other issues, the Commission is interested in receiving
comments on the potential benefits that the emerging field of synthetic
biology is likely to yield, now or in the future, the risks that may
arise, the ethical boundaries that should be considered, and policies
and strategies to assure that the public will benefit from these new
tools and products.
Please address comments by e-mail to info@bioethics.gov, or by mail
to the following address: Public Commentary, The Presidential
Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, 1425 New York Ave., NW.,
Suite C-100, Washington, DC 20005. Comments will be publicly available,
including any personally identifiable or confidential business
information that they contain. Trade secrets should not be submitted.
Dated: August 17, 2010.
Valerie H. Bonham,
Executive Director, The Presidential Commission for the Study of
Bioethical Issues.
[FR Doc. 2010-21359 Filed 8-26-10; 8:45 am]
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