FR 2021-02788

The document in question is a notice published in the Federal Register by the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of the Health and Human Services Department. It announces a closed meeting of the Center for Inherited Disease Research Access Committee scheduled for March 5, 2021. The meeting is designed to review and evaluate grant applications and will be conducted virtually.

Summary

The primary purpose of this notice is to inform the public about the closed meeting, ensuring compliance with legal requirements pertaining to federal advisory committees. The meeting is closed to the public in order to safeguard confidential information, such as trade secrets and personal privacy relating to the grant applications under discussion. The meeting involves influential decision-making concerning the allocation of research funding, pivotal in advancing human genome research.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Several issues are apparent with this document:

• Transparency Concerns: The meeting's closed nature could raise concerns about government transparency. While the closure is legally justified, it may lead to public skepticism when significant decisions are made behind closed doors without public scrutiny.

• Lack of Specific Criteria: The document refers to confidential trade secrets but does not specify the criteria for determining what qualifies as such. This lack of clarity could lead to uncertainty or disputes regarding the decision to classify certain information as confidential.

• Limited Points of Contact: Providing contact details for only one individual may restrict inquiries, potentially hindering access to information for those interested in the meeting's topics or outcomes.

• Complex Language: Legal references, such as “sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.”, are used to justify the meeting's closure. Such complex language may be difficult for a general audience to understand, potentially deterring public engagement or comprehension.

• Ambiguity About Grant Applications: The notice lacks an explanation of the significance of the grant applications under review, which could lead to ambiguity about the meeting's importance or objectives.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Broadly speaking, such meetings play a pivotal role in steering research priorities and funding decisions, impacting public health research and innovation. In particular:

• Researchers and Scientists: These stakeholders stand to gain profound insights and potential funding opportunities to further their research. However, they may also feel excluded due to the closed nature of discussions.

• General Public: While the meeting's outcomes could lead to advances in genome research benefiting public health, the public might feel alienated due to the perceived lack of transparency and complex language used in the notice.

• Institutions and Private Entities: Universities and research institutions have the opportunity to benefit from potential funding resulting from grant approvals. Conversely, the lack of disclosure around the grant application process might raise concerns about fairness or competitive practices.

In summary, while the notice serves a regulatory function, fostering transparency and accessibility could enhance public trust and engagement, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders engaged in or affected by genomic research advancements.