| Vision for Food Safety Lacking Says IOM |
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On June 8, 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its report, Enhancing Food Safety: The Role of the Food and Drug Administration, finding that the agency’s “approach to food safety continues to be reactive and lacking a systematic focus on prevention.” To guard properly against the 76 million foodborne illnesses that occur each year in the United States, the report recommends that the FDA alter its approach to food safety and develop a comprehensive vision. The IOM suggest that the agency develop and implement a risk-based approach to food safety, streamline the inspection process, and better integrate and communicate food safety information with state and local governments and the public. |
| Where’s Your Nobel Prize? |
| Scientific ideas and exciting research efforts often fail to attract much public attention. Translating science from the laboratory to commerce requires the same traits that a good scientist possesses, yet too often scientists stop acting like scientists once they are past the point of discovery. “Where’s My Nobel Prize and Other Public Relations Faux Pas“, published in the Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, explores the why and how of effective science communication. |
| Science Diplomacy Receives a Boost |
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U.S. Representative Howard Berman (D-CA) and his colleagues, Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Brian Baird (D-WA), Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), introduced the Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness, and Diplomacy Act of 2010, HR 4801. Noting that international scientific collaboration is in the best interest of U.S. national security and economic competitiveness, the legislation establishes a Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness and Diplomacy through the U.S. Department of State. The program would provide grants to address ocean acidification, nonproliferation, multiple drug resistant diseases, water-borne diseases, development of sustainable renewable energy resources, sanitation, food shortage and water resources. These collaborative grants are intended to foster partnerships between the U.S. and international universities in science and technology. Grants would also be used to conduct research and training programs that engage scientists and engineers who might otherwise be exploited to participate in illicit nuclear weapons programs. Funds would also be made available to organizations that provide online access to worldwide science journals at no or little cost to scientists. The bill would authorize fellowship and scientific envoy programs. HR 4801 was referred to the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for further deliberation. |
| Guidance Okays Electronic Exchange of Lab Results |
| The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued revised survey procedures and interpretive guidelines for laboratory services in order to facilitate the electronic exchange of laboratory information. The guidance essentially provides a few revisions:
1. Allows laboratory results to be sent to the authorized individual and other designated persons, including patients (if permitted by state law) 2. Clarifies record retention requirements for electronic laboratory reports 3. Procedures for handling corrected electronic reports 4. Advice on surveying laboratories that use health information technology to exchange laboratory data The Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee suggested to HHS’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology that the exchange and use of laboratory information should have a “meaningful use” to inform practitioners and support clinical decisions at the point of care. It has been noted that there may be barriers to this electronic exchange of laboratory information, including through the interpretation of CLIA. In what may be the start of several interpretations issued by CMS, the CLIA Interpretative Guidelines were revised to clarify the transmission of laboratory results electronically. The March 1, 2010 revisions are effective immediately. |
| New News |
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== President Obama, by Executive Order 13251, established within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. The Commission charter was filed on March 10, 2010. First order of business is a study on the implications of synthetic biology. The report is due by the end of the year. == A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Fecal Occult Blood Testing Beliefs and Practices of U.S. Primary Care Physicians: Serious Deviations from Evidence-Based Recommendations“, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that many physicians continue to use inappropriate methods to screen for fecal occult blood. == On the agenda for the 22nd meeting of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society: Recommendations for Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening; Implications of Affordable Whole-Genome Sequencing; Retention and Use of Residual Dried Blood Spot Specimens; and Issues Related to Carrier Screening. SACGHS will meet on June 15-16, 2010, in Washington, DC. |