Tell your Senators to support the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology urges you to spend one minute and send an email to your U.S. Senator to pass the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. The bill includes a two-year agreement to lift the budget caps put in place since 2011 and allows the U.S. to raise its debt ceiling to pay off its debts. The bill, which passed the house on Thursday, also…
White House science office creates committee to tackle U.S. research enterprise problems The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced in May that it will create an interagency committee to address issues facing researchers, such as increasing rigor and reproducibility, preventing foreign espionage and addressing gender and sexual harassment. The committee will include leaders from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy. Read more here. Merit review panels exempt from Trump order to…
NIH group suggests how to address sexual harassment A working group on sexual harassment in science presented recommendations to the National Institutes of Health Advisory Committee to the Director on Thursday to combat sexual harassment at institutions that receive NIH funding. The four recommendations include treating sexual harassment as seriously as research misconduct, requiring institutions tell the NIH about misconduct investigations, providing opportunities for reentry to scientists who have left academia because of harassment, and asking grantees about their misconduct…
Your voice can help broaden America’s STEM workforce The ASBMB’s Public Affairs Advisory Committee is working to advance legislation that will influence the makeup of the nation’s scientific workforce. The STEM Opportunities Act, also known as H.R. 2528, directs federal agencies and universities to mitigate barriers for women and underrepresented minorities seeking to participate in STEM training and careers. Tell your lawmakers to support the bill. U.S. health agency limits use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions The U.S. Department of…
Partial government shutdown likely as negotiations falter During a testy exchange with Democratic congressional leaders this week, President Donald Trump threatened a government shutdown if a spending bill to fund parts of the government did not include at least $5 billion for a U.S.–Mexico border wall. Lawmakers, many of whom have already left Washington, D.C., for winter recess, have until Dec. 21 to pass a funding bill to keep the government open. Read more here. U.S. Congress holds hearing on…
Critics pounce on scientist’s claim of using CRISPR on human embryos A firestorm of criticism ensued after Chinese scientist He Jiankui’s claim that he used CRISPR to genetically alter the DNA of human embryos that were used to produce twin girls. Chinese authorities have suspended Jiankui’s research, while National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins called for a “binding international consensus” on regulating gene editing. Read more here. Trump prioritizes border wall funding in latest budget negotiations President Donald…
Science policy weekly roundup: November 16, 2018 Department of Education proposes additional protections for students accused of sexual assault U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos today announced new changes to Title IX laws, which prevent gender discrimination at schools that receive federal dollars. The changes include allowing schools to raise the amount of proof needed to substantiate a sexual assault allegation and giving the accused and accuser the right to cross-examine each other. “The rules do not go into effect until…
Scientists navigate life after congressional run Dozens of scientists ran for congressional seats this year, but a majority failed to win their primary races. While many lost because of their inexperience and lack of connections to local political institutions, some are continuing to explore their new passion for public service as they settle back into the lab. Read more here. Scientists push to stop cardiac stem-cell study based on fabricated data Scientists are urging a national clinical trial network stop…
The National Institutes of Health has enforced three distinct federal funding policies for human embryonic stem-cell research through the administrations of Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. In 2001, George W. Bush placed restrictions on the use of federal funds for human embryonic stem-cell research, leading some state governments to fund the research themselves. California established the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and other states followed with various funding mechanisms of their own.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court rejected a request to hear a case regarding the legality of federal funding for research on human embryonic stem cells. The case, Sherley v. Sebelius, was first filed in 2009 and has made its way through several appeals courts. The courts never ruled in favor of those looking to ban hESC research, although the plaintiffs were granted a brief preliminary injunction in 2010. With the Supreme Court’s rejection today, the plaintiffs have no further legal options…