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Reshaping Public Perceptions of Conflict of Interest

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Jeffrey Waldin |

Among the topics discussed at the UIDP meeting last month were public perceptions relating to university researchers that engage in external activities or hold external financial interests. There is a common belief that holding external interests necessarily means that there…

FDA approves treatment for plague without clinical trial data

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Matthew Tanner |

The FDA has approved Levaquin (levofloxacin)(Johnson & Johnson’s) for the treatment of pneumonic plague (caused by Yersinia pestis). A member of the fluoroquinolone family of drugs, it is currently approved for treatment of numerous infections, including post-inhalation Anthrax exposure. The approval was…

The Forest Service’s 83 Experimental Forests and Ranges

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Matthew Tanner |

The Forest Service (USDA) operates 83 Experimental Forests and Ranges (who knew?) where intensive scientific study is undertaken to map diverse ecological sites. Among the many goals of their work, the Forest Service aims to 1. Develop of systems for…

USDA Inspection Guide

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Matthew Tanner |

From APHIIS: Effective April 6, 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) removed from its Web site all previous versions of the inspection guides used by the agency’s Animal Care program. APHIS replaced…

National Planetary Exploration Car Wash & Bake Sale

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Roger Wood |

How many cupcakes do you have to sell to fund a scientific mission to Mars? Organizer Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute doesn’t expect to fund space exploration via cookies and car washes. He does hope to build interest…

Presidential Commission Seeking Public Comments on Genome Sequence Data

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Matthew Tanner |

The availability of large-scale human genomic data sets raises questions regarding their proper collection, use and governance. The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues is currently focusing on these issues and is seeking input from medical professionals , scientists, ethicists, patient…

The Golden Goose Award

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Roger Wood |

Many will remember Sen. William Proxmire’s (D-WI) Golden Fleece Awards, established in 1975 and designed to call attention to perceived wasteful government spending, frequently focusing on federally funded research projects. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN), with the support of a bipartisan…

US DATA Act – Passes the House

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Roger Wood |

As expected, the DATA Act was passed by the US House of Representatives today. Submitted and sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), it was passed by voice vote. The Act establishes a new Federal Accountability and Spending Transparency Commission, which…

The DATA Act – Update (HR 2146)

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Roger Wood |

The general opinion regarding the DATA Act seems to be that it is likely to move forward and be passed. Generally speaking, the DATA Act would codify the quarterly reporting initiated for ARRA awards broadening the scope to cover all…

Eliminating Duplicative and Inefficient Taxpayer Spending Act (HR 4370)

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Roger Wood |

While it seems unlikely this bill will move substantially forward, it is worth noting that Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) submitted HR 4370 “[t]o require new policies and procedures to address duplication and inefficient spending in the Federal grants process.” The…