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Office of Policy, Communications and Education

The Office of Policy, Communications and Education (OPCE) is an integral part of the Office of the Director, and serves as the National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) link to the community at large. This varied community includes: the general public; the news media; non-profit organizations; professional societies; researchers; academic institutions; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and the advisors to NHGRI.

OPCE staff coordinate and implement policy development and analysis related to the ethical, legal and social (ELSI) implications of human genome research; administer a communications program aimed at disseminating information about the science and policies of the Human Genome Project (HGP) and NHGRI's genetics research programs; track and analyze legislation; and develop and oversee NHGRI education and community outreach programs.

Policy and Program Analysis Branch
The Policy and Program Analysis Branch analyzes and tracks Federal legislation that may have an impact on the mission of NHGRI, and helps to develop recommendations to the director of NHGRI for legislative proposals. For further details, see:

• Policy and Ethics
  Congressional testimony, and state and federal legislation regarding policy issues surrounding genetic discrimination.
  
  
• Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Research Program

Education and Community Involvement Branch
Advises the director and senior staff on a broad range of issues regarding public education and community involvement.

• Initiatives and Resources Related to Minority and Special Populations

Communications and Public Liaison Branch
Coordinates and manages media inquiries, news releases and requests, background information and other communications needs for the NHGRI.

Genomic Healthcare Branch
Promotes the effective integration of genomic discoveries into healthcare.

Acting Director

Laura Lyman Rodriguez, Ph.D.
E-mail: rodrigla@mail.nih.gov

Address

Office of Policy, Communications and Education
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room 4B09
9000 Rockville Pike, MSC 2152
Bethesda, MD 20892-2152

Phone: (301) 496-0844
Fax: (301) 402-2218

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Last Updated: August 1, 2008