FASEB Second Quarter Report, 2007

OPA Activities: April–June 2007

Research Funding

•     Letter to the editor of Science on NIH funding was published on April 13

•     FASEB submitted testimony on NSF funding to House CJS Approps. Subcommittee

•     FASEB joined Invitrogen in a Roll Call ad in support of NIH

•     FASEB wrote a letter to all House and Senate conferees in support of VA research funding in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill

•     Joined with coalition partners and wrote all members of the House in opposition to amendments to H.R. 1867, which would block funding for peer-reviewed NSF grants based on their titles (May 2)

•     FASEB wrote to Budget Conferees, House and Senate leaders, and Appropriations Chairmen/Ranking members asking for an additional $22 billion in discretionary spending over the Administration's FY 2008 budget proposal (May 9, 2007)

•     Sent e-mail alert on May 9 to members of FASEB societies asking them to contact their Senators/Representatives in support of additional $22 billion in the budget resolution, and to increase L/HHS appropriations subcommittee allocation by $14 billion. Nearly 4,000 society members sent messages

•     FASEB issued a press release expressing disappointment in the House Labor-HHS subcommittee proposed funding level for NIH

•     The Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society report on the genes and the environment study included FASEB's recommendation on investigator-initiated projects

•     Jon Retzlaff met regularly with Senate and House L/HHS-Ed Appropriations staff

•     Jon Retzlaff joined the Campaign for Medical Research in meetings with Representative Lowey; Senators Alexander, Landrieu, McConnell, Nelson and Gregg

Conflict of Interest

•     President Leo Furcht wrote NIH Director Dr. Zerhouni about FASEB's COI initiatives  

•     Laura Brockway organized the July 17 "Call to Action" meeting and related Toolkit

•     Laura Brockway met with leaders of the Council on Governmental Relations to discuss FASEB positions and proposals on conflict of interest

Stem Cell Research

•     Wrote all Senators urging passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (April 9)

•     Wrote all House members in support of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act  

•     Issued press release thanking Senate for passing Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

•     Wrote President Bush asking that he not veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

•     Jennifer Hobin spoke on stem cell research policy at the NBIA Disorders Assoc. meeting

•     Supported the Harkin-Specter provision on embryonic stem cell policy in L/HHS bill

Evolution Education

•     Jennifer Hobin submitted a policy forum article to Science on behalf of the evolution coalition

•     FASEB "teach evolution/learn science" tee shirts and buttons were distributed at EB

Training/Careers

•     Howard Garrison served on the organizing committee and chaired a panel for the May 3-4  National Academies workshop on minorities in science

•     FASEB endorsed Rep. Matsui's amendment to NSF Reauthorization bill providing support for communications education for NSF-supported graduate students.  The amendment passed and FASEB's endorsement was noted in debate on the House floor

•     FASEB received the National Postdoctoral Association's Distinguished Service Award

•     Kimberly McGuire and Howard Garrison developed a set of graphics on education and employment trends in the biological and medical sciences.  This material was presented to the AAMC GREAT Steering Committee and shared with other interested groups

•     Jennifer Hobin spoke about her analysis of career outcomes of biomedical scientists at a seminar sponsored by the Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology

      Homeland Security

•     With input from SPC subcommittee members, Carrie Wolinetz drafted a response to the National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity report on "dual use research of concern"

•     Carrie Wolinetz discussed the investigators' perspective on biosecurity issues at the Deemed Exports Advisory Committee meeting in Boston

Other Activities of Note

•     Mark Lively and Laura Brockway organized SPC/Board Symposium on large-scale science

•     Jon Retzlaff organized FASEB's 3rd annual Capitol Hill Day.  Participants presented FASEB's Public Service Award to Joe Barton

•     The Breakthroughs in Bioscience article on antidepressants was released and distributed

•     FASEB sent letters to House and Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittees opposing proposed moratorium on purchases of animals from Class B dealers.  Jon Retzlaff worked with House Appropriations Committee staff on compromise report language on this issue

•     Wrote to Senator Harkin regarding the research provisions of the 2007 Farm Bill

•     During EB, Jon Retzlaff participated in the APS Communications Symposium. He and Carrie Wolinetz also supported member society PA staff in conjunction with Hill visits

•     Jon Retzlaff participated in an AAI public affairs session on how to conduct a congressional meeting

•     Howard Garrison and Jon Retzlaff briefed the National Caucus of Basic Biomedical Science Chairs prior to their meetings on Capitol Hill

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