Federal Register: April 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 77)
DOCID: fr23ap09-68 FR Doc E9-9307
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Science and Technology Policy Office
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr23ap09-68
DOCUMENT ACTION: Request for public comment on response to Presidential Memorandum.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
March 9, 2009 Presidential Memo on Scientific Integrity: Request for Public Comment
DATES: There is a 21 day period for public comment from April 23, 2009 to May 13, 2009.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
On March 9, 2009, the President issued a memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies on the subject of scientific integrity (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ MemorandumfortheHeadsofExecutiveDepartmentsandAgencies3909/ ). The memorandum requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to craft recommendations for Presidential action to ensure scientific integrity in the executive branch. This notice solicits public input to inform the drafting of those recommendations. The notice asks a series of questions to help guide the public in responding to this request.
SUMMARY:
Presidential Memo on Scientific Integrity; Request for Public Comment,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
In his March 9, 2009 memorandum on
Scientific Integrity, the President states that ``science and the
scientific process must inform and guide decisions of my Administration
on a wide range of issues'' and assigns the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy (the Director) responsibility for
ensuring scientific integrity throughout the executive branch. To this
end, the memorandum requires the Director to submit within 120 days a
set of recommendations for Presidential action to ensure scientific
integrity. If possible, for each comment you submit, please note to
which of the six principles below your comment relates. This will
assist in properly categorizing the public comments and responding to
the President's memorandum on Scientific Integrity. The six principles from the memorandum are as follows:
(a) The selection and retention of candidates for science and
technology positions in the executive branch should be based on the
candidate's knowledge, credentials, experience, and integrity;
(b) Each agency should have appropriate rules and procedures to
ensure the integrity of the scientific process within the agency;
(c) When scientific or technological information is considered in
policy decisions, the information should be subject to wellestablished
scientific processes, including peer review where appropriate, and each
agency should appropriately and accurately reflect that information in complying with and applying relevant statutory standards.
(d) Except for information that is properly restricted from
disclosure under procedures established in accordance with statute,
regulation, Executive Order, or Presidential Memorandum, each agency
should make available to the public the scientific or technological
findings or conclusions considered or relied on in policy decisions;
(e) Each agency should have in place procedures to identify and
address instances in which the scientific process or the integrity of
scientific and technological information may be compromised; and
(f) Each agency should adopt such additional procedures, including
any appropriate whistleblower protections, as are necessary to ensure
the integrity of scientific and technological information and processes
on which the agency relies in its decisionmaking or otherwise uses or prepares.
Comments from the public will help the OSTP determine what should be included in these recommendations. Respondents are invited to suggest: (1) Recommendations that would be responsive to the aims of the President, (2) specific implementing strategies, and (3) data and empirical evidence related to the effectiveness of strategies to promote scientific integrity. Comments submitted are encouraged to:
M. David Hodge,
Operations Manager, OSTP.
[FR Doc. E99307 Filed 42209; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3170W9P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
For information regarding this Notice, please contact scientificintegrity@ostp.eop.gov.