[MPWG] Fwd: AIBS Public Policy Report
De Angelis, Patricia
patricia_deangelis at fws.gov
Wed Jun 26 12:08:44 CDT 2013
I wanted to share this American Institute for Biological Sciences
newsletter with you as there are several potential grant opportunities
mentioned, and other interesting news.
"The AIBS Public Policy Report is distributed broadly by email every two
weeks to the AIBS membership. Any interested party may self-subscribe to
receive these free reports by email or RSS news feed, by going to
www.aibs.org/public-policy-reports<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=31a5458e34&e=0fbed0ec1a>
."
Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist, Division of Scientific Authority-US Fish & Wildlife
Service-International Affairs
Chair, Medicinal Plant Working Group-Plant Conservation Alliance
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>
Follow International Affairs
> on Twitter http://twitter.com/USFWSInternatl
> on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/USFWS_InternationalAffairs
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: AIBS Public Policy Office <polrept at aibs.org>
Date: Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:35 PM
Subject: AIBS Public Policy Report
To: Patricia <patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov>
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AIBS Public Policy Report
*AIBS Public Policy Report, Volume 14, Issue 12, June 17, 2013*
- Supreme Court Says No to Patents on Human Genes
- Proposed Protections for Captive Chimps Could Hamper Biomedical
Research
- Senate Passes Agriculture Reform Bill
- Register for the Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits
- USDA To Create Regional Climate Research Hubs
- NSF Political Science Research to Continue Despite Congressional Ban
- USAID Releases First Policy on Biodiversity Conservation
- Call for Session Proposals: 2014 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and
Ecosystem Science Conference
- Short Takes
- Nominations Sought for Ocean Research Panel
- NSF Accepting Proposals for Collection Digitization
- USDA to Launch New Grants Reporting System
- Forest Service Research Indentifies Multiple Threats to Forests
- From the Federal Register
- Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center
------------------------------
The AIBS Public Policy Report is distributed broadly by email every two
weeks to the AIBS membership. Any interested party may self-subscribe to
receive these free reports by email or RSS news feed, by going to
www.aibs.org/public-policy-reports<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=31a5458e34&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
With proper attribution to AIBS, all material from these reports may be
reproduced or forwarded. AIBS staff appreciates receiving copies of
materials used. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please
contact the AIBS Director of Public Policy, Robert Gropp, at 202-628-1500 x
250.
------------------------------
*Supreme Court Says No to Patents on Human Genes*
On 13 June 2013 the United States Supreme Court ruled that human genes
cannot be patented. The unanimous decision stated that isolating specific
genes was not worthy of a patent.
The case considered by the high court dealt with patents held by Myriad
Genetics, Inc. for two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that have been linked to
breast and ovarian cancer. The company uses the genes to test patients for
their risk of developing cancer.
“Myriad did not create anything,” wrote Justice Clarence Thomas on behalf
of the court. “To be sure, it found an important and useful gene, but
separating that gene from its surrounding genetic material is not an act of
invention.”
“Had Myriad created an innovative method of manipulating genes while
searching for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, it could possibly have sought a
method patent,” Thomas wrote. “But the processes used by Myriad to isolate
DNA were well understood by geneticists at the time.”
Despite striking down the patents on human genes, the Supreme Court did
uphold Myriad Genetics’ right to patent cDNA, which is created from RNA
that is reverse transcribed via an enzyme. As one science blogger points
out, this is simply a change of media. “This is like saying you couldn’t
patent a recipe on paper, but if you transfer it word for word onto
sheepskin, it becomes patentable,” wrote Dr. Mark Hoffnagle on his blog
about denialism.
Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health,
praised the court’s decision: “The right to control exclusively the use of
a patient’s genes could have made it more difficult to access new tests and
treatments that rely on novel technologies that can quickly determine the
sequence of any of the estimated 20,000 genes in the human genome. Such
approaches form the cornerstone of the rapidly emerging field of
personalized medicine, in which diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive
strategies can be tailored to each person’s unique genetic makeup.”
There are roughly 4,000 gene-related patents in the United States.
*Proposed Protections for Captive Chimps Could Hamper Biomedical Research *
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has announced plans to increase
protections for captive chimpanzees. The species would be listed as
‘endangered’ in both the wild and captivity, a move that would require
federal oversight of any activates that would harm or kill chimpanzees,
including some research.
The new listing would require a federal permit before an invasive
technique, like drawing blood or performing surgery, could be conducted on
a chimp. Only research that “enhance[s] the propagation or survival” of the
species would be approved.
The proposed rule is open for public comment for 60 days.
When chimpanzees were first listed as a protected species in 1990, only
wild chimps were designated as endangered. Captive animals were listed as
threatened, which allowed them to be used for medical research and other
uses, such as entertainment, without a federal permit.
"This is the only time we treated a captive population different from a
wild population," said FWS Director Dan Ashe. "The justification for our
proposal is built on an analysis that the ESA [Endangered Species Act] does
not allow us to do that. This would be the last split listing that we would
ever do."
The federal government estimates that there are about 2,000 captive
chimpanzees in the United States, half of which are used for biomedical
research.
"I think the de facto meaning will be that those that use chimpanzees for
invasive medical research will throw up their hands and say the door is
closing and they should be getting out of the business," said Dr. John
Pippin, a cardiologist and director of academic affairs for the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine, which supports the upgraded protections
for chimps.
In recent years, the federal government has begun to move away from
supporting medical research on chimpanzees. In January 2013, the National
Institutes of Health Council of Councils approved a report that recommended
permanently retiring most chimps from research and moving the animals to
sanctuaries.
*Senate Passes Agriculture Reform Bill *
Efforts to reform U.S. agricultural policy advanced with Senate passage of
S. 954, the “Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013.” The ‘Farm
Bill’, as it is commonly known, passed the Senate on 10 June with a
bipartisan vote of 66-27.
The legislation authorizes $955 billion over five years for farm subsidy,
conservation, rural energy, and nutrition assistance programs. This
spending level is about $18 billion less over the next decade than current
policy, if sequestration is taken into account. Many of the policies
outlined in S. 954 are similar to the legislation passed by the Senate last
year; that bill ultimately stalled in the House and was not enacted into
law.
S. 954 would set funding levels for a multitude of agricultural research
programs. Fifty million dollars would be devoted to a new integrated
research initiative on farm animals. Competitive grants for international
science and education programs would receive $5 million a year. The
National Genetics Resources Program would receive $1 million a year for
five years. Agriculture biosecurity grants would be funded at $5 million a
year.
A new Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research would be established to
award research grants, identify agricultural research needs, facilitate
technology transfer, and train the next generation of scientists. The
non-profit foundation would solicit private funding to support agricultural
research, and would be endowed with $200 million from the federal
government.
Other research initiatives are proposed for removal from the current farm
bill, including deer tick ecology, wetlands use research, genetically
modified agriculture products research, and land use management research.
During the Senate’s consideration of the bill, more than 250 amendments
were filed, but Senators voted on only 15 amendments. Among the amendments
not considered was a provision offered by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
that would have ordered a study of the impacts of extreme weather and
climate change on agriculture in the United States. Senator Sheldon
Whitehouse (D-RI) offered an amendment that would have reaffirmed the
scientific basis of and human contributions to climate change. The
amendment also outlined that efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate
change are “economically prudent” and “in the best security and fiscal
interests” of the nation.
The House of Representatives is considering its own version of the farm
bill. The chamber will consider the legislation this week.
*Register for the Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits *
The American Institute of Biological Sciences is proud to announce that it
is partnering with the Entomological Society of America to present the *5th
Annual Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits* event.
This national initiative is an opportunity for biologists across the
country to meet with their federal or state elected officials to showcase
the people, facilities, and equipment that are required to support and
conduct scientific research.
The *5th Annual Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits* event
will be held throughout the month of August 2013. This event is an
opportunity for scientists, graduate students, representatives of research
facilities, and people affiliated with scientific collections to meet with
their elected officials without traveling to Washington, DC. Participants
may either invite their elected officials to visit their research facility
or can meet at the policymaker’s local office.
Participants will be prepared for their meeting with a lawmaker through an
interactive training webinar. Individuals participating in this event will
receive information about improving their communication skills, tips for
conducting a successful meeting with an elected official, and information
about federal funding for biological research.
The event is made possible by the American Institute of Biological Sciences
and Entomological Society of America, with the support of event sponsors
American Society of Naturalists, Botanical Society of America, Harvard
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Natural Science Collections Alliance,
Organization of Biological Field Stations, and Society for the Study of
Evolution.
Participation is free, but registration will close on 15 July 2013. For
more information and to register, visit
www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_district_visits.html<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=63907169f0&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
*USDA To Create Regional Climate Research Hubs *
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to establish seven
new regional climate hubs. The hubs will conduct research that aims to
mitigate climate change’s effects on crop production, livestock, and
forestland.
"The hubs will enable us to carry out regionally appropriate climate change
risk and vulnerability assessments, and get data out to the field more
quickly," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "Practically, the hubs
will deal out advice to farmers and forest owners on ways to reduce risks
and manage change."
Some of the hubs will be established at existing USDA facilities. Land
grant and public universities will join as partners. The hubs will be
located in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Northern Plains, Southern
Plains, Pacific Northwest, and Southwest.
*NSF Political Science Research to Continue Despite Congressional Ban *
The National Science Foundation (NSF) will continue to fund political
science research despite orders from Congress to scale back investments in
this arena. In a recently announced decision, NSF stated that it will
continue to review proposals submitted to the Political Science Program.
Review panels will be asked to provide input on whether proposals meet one
or both congressionally directed criteria of “promoting national security
or the economic interests of the United States.”
In March, Congress approved a law that includes a provision that bars NSF
from awarding any grants to political science research unless the agency’s
director can certify the grants as in the nation’s economic or security
interests. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), a vocal critic of NSF, authored the
amendment. The provision will only be in effect until the end of the
current fiscal year.
*USAID Releases First Policy on Biodiversity Conservation *
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has released a draft
policy that “seeks to advance biodiversity conservation as an essential
component of human development.”
The policy outlines three outcomes: 1) conserve biodiversity in priority
places, 2) improved development outcomes from integrating biodiversity
conservation and development, and 3) enhance global biodiversity
conservation practice through USAID leadership.
Read the draft report online at
http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/USAID-Biodiversity-Policy-Draft-6-7-13.pdf<http://aibs.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=71748495dd&e=0fbed0ec1a>.
Submit comments by 24 June 2013 at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oYr_HCwbdCWornT07sm36lgBdYGnhBMoxzCgtuxr560/viewform<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=c7149d6f9f&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
*Call for Session Proposals: 2014 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem
Science Conference *
The 2014 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference is
soliciting proposals from the community for sessions to address the
conference themes and integrative topics. For guidelines and submission
instructions, please visit
http://gulfofmexicoconference.org/program/scientific-sessions/<http://aibs.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=a3c3523601&e=0fbed0ec1a>.
The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2013.
*Short Takes *
- The Ocean Studies Board of the National Research Council is seeking
nominations for potential committee members for a new study. “A Decadal
Survey of Ocean Sciences: Guidance for NSF on National Ocean Research
Priorities” was requested by the National Science Foundation. Nominations
are due by 17 June 2013 and can be submitted at
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1260708/Nominations-for-OSB-Decadal-Survey<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=ba90d4c04f&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
- The National Science Foundation is accepting proposals for the
Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections program. This initiative
seeks to enhance and expand digital data documenting existing vouchered
biological and paleontological collections. The deadline for full proposals
is 18 October 2013. More information is available at
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13569/nsf13569.htm<http://aibs.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=9a9b48c9e6&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to deploy a new grants
reporting system, REEport, to replace the existing Current Research
Information System. The new system would implement a uniform format for
reporting performance progress on federally funded research projects. Learn
more at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-06-07/html/2013-13571.htm<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=04f9a0943c&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
- Researchers from the U.S. Forest Service have developed a new tool for
forest resource managers to identify regions facing multiple threats,
including wildfires, insects and disease, and land-use change. The study is
published in the May 2013 issue of the Journal of Forestry.
*From the Federal Register*
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from 3 June to 14 June
2013. For more information on these or other recent items, please visit the
AIBS Federal Register Resource at
www.aibs.org/federal-register-resource/index.html<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=6a316e690d&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
*Week Ending 14 June 2013*
*Commerce*
- National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC)
*Environmental Protection Agency*
- Human Studies Review Board Advisory Committee
*Health and Human Services*
- National Biodefense Science Board; Call for Nominees
- Request for Nominations of Candidates To Serve on the Board of
Scientific Counselors, Office of the Public Health Preparedness and
Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health
and Human Services
- Request for Nominations of Candidates To Serve on the World Trade
Center Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (the STAC or
the Committee), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of
Health and Human Services
*Interior*
- Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing All Chimpanzees
as Endangered
- Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Revision To
the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf
*National Science Foundation*
- Proposal Review Panel for Ocean Sciences; Notice of Meeting
*Week Ending 7 June 2013*
*Agriculture*
- Forest Resource Coordinating Committee
- National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest
System Land Management Planning Rule
*Energy*
- Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee
*Environmental Protection Agency*
- Notification of a Public Meeting of the Science Advisory Board
Environmental Justice Technical Guidance Review Panel
*Executive Office of the President*
- National Oceans Month, 2013
*Health and Human Services*
- Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health; Notice of
Meeting
*Interior*
- Meeting Announcements: North American Wetlands Conservation Council;
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Advisory Group
- Third Call for Nominations for Resource Advisory Councils
*National Science Foundation*
- Biological Sciences Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting
*Office of Science and Technology Policy*
- Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act
*Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center*
Quick, free, easy, effective, impactful! Join the AIBS Legislative Action
Center today! (www.aibs.org/public-policy/legislative_action_center.html<http://aibs.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=e6e9ebe687&e=0fbed0ec1a>
)
The AIBS Legislative Action Center is an online resource that allows
biologists and science educators to quickly and effectively influence
policy and public opinion. Each day lawmakers must make tough decisions
about science policy. For example, what investments to make in federal
research programs, how to conserve biodiversity, how to mitigate climate
change, or under what circumstances to permit stem cell research.
Scientists now have the opportunity to help elected officials understand
these issues. This exciting advocacy tool allows individuals to quickly and
easily communicate with members of Congress, executive branch officials,
and selected media outlets.
The AIBS Legislative Action Center is made possible through contributions
from the Entomological Society of America, Society for the Study of
Evolution, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and
the Botanical Society of America.
AIBS and our partner organizations invite scientists and science educators
to become policy advocates today. Simply go to
http://capwiz.com/aibs/home/<http://aibs.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=526095f511&e=0fbed0ec1a>to
send a prepared letter or to sign up to receive periodic Action
Alerts.
------------------------------
- Give your society or organization a voice in public policy. See
http://www.aibs.org/public-policy/funding_contributors.html<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=ef24a39f0d&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
- Become an AIBS Individual Member and lend your voice to a national
effort to advance the biological sciences through public policy, education,
and science programs. Visit
http://www.access.aibs.org/?page=IndMem<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=b685857873&e=0fbed0ec1a>to
join AIBS.
- Become an advocate for science, visit the AIBS Legislative Action
Center at http://capwiz.com/aibs/home/<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=c9e9cdbd75&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
- Know the news as it happens, sign-up to receive AIBS press releases
and policy statements
(http://www.aibs.org/mailing-lists/mediaisu.html<http://aibs.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=416f64d5b1&e=0fbed0ec1a>
).
The American Institute of Biological Sciences is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)
scientific association dedicated to advancing biological research and
education for the welfare of society. AIBS works to ensure that the public,
legislators, funders, and the community of biologists have access to and
use information that will guide them in making informed decisions about
matters that require biological knowledge. The organization does this
through informing decisions by providing peer-reviewed or vetted
information about the biology field and profession and by catalyzing action
through building the capacity and the leadership of the community to
address matters of common concern.
Founded in 1947 as a part of the National Academy of Sciences, AIBS became
an independent, member-governed organization in the 1950s. Today, AIBS has
nearly 160 member organizations and is headquartered in Reston, VA, with a
Public Policy Office in Washington, DC. Its approximately 40 staff members
work to achieve its mission by publishing the peer-reviewed journal *
BioScience* and the education Web site *ActionBioscience.org*, by providing
scientific peer-review and advisory services to government agencies and
other clients, and by collaborating with scientific organizations to
advance public policy, education, and the public understanding of science.
Website: www.aibs.org<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=91f77da16f&e=0fbed0ec1a>
.
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