FR 2021-02792

The document from the Federal Register details two upcoming closed meetings held by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These meetings are organized to review and evaluate grant applications concerning treatments for alcohol use disorder and related disorders. They will take place virtually on February 26, 2021, and March 15, 2021.

General Summary

The meetings are closed to the public to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information, which may include trade secrets, patentable material, and personal information related to individuals involved in the grant applications. This practice is in line with federal regulations to prevent indiscriminate disclosure of sensitive data, which would otherwise constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Issues and Concerns

There are a few issues warranting further reflection:

1. Confidentiality Criteria: The document specifies that the meetings will be closed to discuss confidential information. However, there is limited detail on the criteria or procedures for maintaining this confidentiality. This lack thereof might leave some readers questioning how effectively confidential information is protected.

2. Subjectivity in Privacy: The use of the phrase "clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" may be perceived as subjective. Without further guidelines, individuals unfamiliar with legal terms might wonder about the standards applied to determine what constitutes an unwarranted invasion.

3. Use of Contact Information: The document includes contact names and emails of specific officials involved. Such disclosure could lead to potential misuse of this contact information, such as spam or undue communication from the public.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the closed meetings might seem opaque, as they are not accessible, preventing any direct observation or public input. However, this is generally a standard procedure to ensure sensitive information is not disclosed, particularly when dealing with preliminary data and proprietary research content.

Impact on Stakeholders

For researchers and academics involved in the field of alcohol use disorder, these meetings are crucial. They represent a step in the process of grant submissions, where their proposals are reviewed, potentially leading to funding and support for their innovative research projects. The confidentiality of these procedures ensures that the proprietary and intellectual aspects of their work are not compromised.

Conversely, for those relying on transparency and public engagement, such as advocacy groups or public watchdog organizations, there may be concerns. The lack of public access to these meetings can be seen as a barrier to understanding how decisions impacting public health and research prioritization are made.

In conclusion, while the document underlines necessary practices to maintain confidentiality within governmental health research, it accentuates the ongoing balance between privacy protection and public transparency.