IC Directors' Meeting Highlights
September 25, 2007
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From: Subject: IC
Directors
Kerry Brink, Assistant to the Deputy Director, NIH IC Directors’ Meeting Highlights — July 26, 2007 Discussion Items I. Update on NIH Peer Review Dr. Larry Tabak, of the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research of (NIDCR), provided an update on the ongoing diagnostic phase of the peer review study and evaluation. The effort involves both external and internal working groups:
Dr. Tabak explained that as NIH adapts to rapidly changing fields of science and ever-growing public health challenges, the principles of the peer review analysis are to ensure the processes used to support science are as efficient and effective as possible for applicants and reviewers alike. The two working groups are seeking broad input from both external and internal communities. So far, the many activities in 2007 include:
In parallel, the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) has launched several peer review pilots and initiatives, which will help inform the ongoing effort. Once the diagnostic phase is complete, analyses and summaries of the various inputs, data collected and breadth of ideas will be provided to NIH leadership to determine next steps, including piloting and associated evaluations. II. Proposed Policy for Data Sharing of NIH Supported Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Dr. Elizabeth Nabel of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), explained that the opportunities for scientific advances in understanding complex, common diseases are now extraordinary. The cost of extensive genotyping has fallen rapidly making studies feasible. Whole genome information when combined with clinical and other phenotypic data offers the potential for increased understanding of basic biological processes affecting human health, improvement in prediction of disease and patient care. The goal of the NIH policy is to advance science for the benefit of the public through the creation of a centralized NIH GWAS data repository. The policy addresses data sharing procedures, data access principles, intellectual property and issues regarding the protection of research participants through all phases of GWAS. Elements of the policy include:
Dr. Nabel explained that the greatest public benefit will be realized if data from GWAS are made available, under terms and conditions consistent with the informed consent provided by individual participants, in a timely manner to the largest possible number of investigators. NIH is committed to protection of research participants and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for individual-level GWAS data will be denied. IC Directors approved the next steps to include information dissemination to Trans-NIH committees with notice in the NIH Guide and the Federal Register (Policy and Preamble). The policy is expected to be in place for grants funded in FY 2008. Kerry Brink This page was last reviewed on September 26, 2007.
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