advocacy in science: opportunities, limits, responsibilities and risks faseb: a public policy voice...
TRANSCRIPT
Advocacy in Advocacy in Science: Science:
Opportunities, Opportunities, Limits, Limits,
Responsibilities and Responsibilities and RisksRisks
FASEB: A Public Policy Voice for Biological and Biomedical Researchers
Howard Garrison
February 11, 2008
Advocacy Is A Core Part of Our Mission Pre-1989
Six member societies Centralized organization Major scientific meeting
Post-1989 Public affairs emphasis New governance Rapid growth
What We Do Policy development Government liaison and advocacy Policy research Communications Coalition building Public outreach
How We Operate Emphasis on working scientists Consensus-based Empirically-supported Outcome-oriented
Policy Development Mechanisms Consensus Conferences
Subject matter experts Face-to-face interaction
Science Policy Committee Organized into issue-based subcommittees Staffed by professionals
Ultimate Oversight by FASEB Board
Breakthroughs in Bioscience
Animals in Research & Education
Stem Cells/SCNT
Clinical Research
Educating about
Evolution
Peer Review
NSABB (Biosecurity)
Enhanced Public Access
NIH Issues
Training & Career
Opportunities
Standing Subcommittees
Ad Hoc Subcommittees
FASEB’s Policy Think Tank: Science Policy Committee
SCIENCE POLICY SCIENCE POLICY COMMITTEECOMMITTEE
FASEB Member Societies
Science PolicyCommittee
ConsensusConference
Board of Directors
FASEB PolicyFASEB Policy
Public AffairsCommittee
From Good Idea to Good Policy:Policy Development Process
Strengths and Limitations of Consensus Based Approach to Policy Advantages
Informed by many perspectives Strong basis for building larger coalitions
Limitations Deliberations take time Tension between local and global issues Actions are limited to those on which there is a
broad consensus Undercuts ability to negotiate
Core Public Policy Issues Federal funding for research Protect the environment for research
Create the next generation of scientists Fight regulatory burden
Animal research Stem cell research Research misconduct Conflict of interest Biosecurity
Challenge political interference in Peer review Science education
Major Successes Five year doubling of NIH budget Increased funding for USDA, NSF and other
research agencies Prevented Animal Welfare Act inclusion of
rats, mice and birds NIH ethics policies Defended peer review at VA and other
agencies Kept biosecurity funding at NIH
Recent Accomplishments NIH Reauthorization Communications
Grass roots advocacy for NIH Educating about evolution Training slides
Conflict of interest initiative Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act Stem cell legislation passed House and
Senate
Office of Public Affairs Federal funding Animals in research Training / careers Research integrity Stem cells / SCNT Publication Homeland security Regulatory burden
Conflicts of interest Technology transfer Politicization of
science Peer review Indirect costs Genetic
nondiscrimination Agency
reauthorization
Risks of Activism Mission creep
Demands on time of volunteers Cost associated with advocacy Expanding number of issues
Competing priorities Altered public image
Organization Profession
Current Legislative Priorities Hold meetings/ issue letters
Reauthorization Appropriations
Coordinate freshman briefing Build Congressional database Work with patient groups More visible “thank you” and
“spank you” actions
Communications Initiatives Washington Update Breakthroughs in Bioscience State Advocacy PowerPoints E-action alerts
Subscribers Mass alerts
Voter Engagement Campaign
Science Policy Priorities Training & Workforce Animal Research Biosecurity Conflict of Interest Clinical Research Stem Cells Evolution Education