[Federal Register: April 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 77)]
[Notices]
[Page 18596-18597]

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OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY


March 9, 2009 Presidential Memo on Scientific Integrity: Request
for Public Comment

ACTION: Request for public comment on response to Presidential
Memorandum.

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SUMMARY: On March 9, 2009, the President issued a memorandum for the
heads of executive departments and agencies on the subject of
scientific integrity (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/
Memorandum-for-the-Heads-of-Executive-Departments-and-Agencies-3-9-09/
). The memorandum requires the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP) to craft recommendations for Presidential
action to ensure scientific integrity in the executive branch. This
notice solicits public input to inform the drafting of those
recommendations. The notice asks a series of questions to help guide
the public in responding to this request.

DATES: There is a 21 day period for public comment from April 23, 2009
to May 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    Web Site--http://www.ostp.gov. Click the link to ``Scientific
Integrity'' and follow the instructions for submitting comments
electronically.
    Electronic Mail_[email protected].
    Mail--Office of Science and Technology Policy, Attn: Scientific
Integrity Recommendations, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20502.
    Please note that all submissions may be posted without change to
http://www.ostp.gov, including any personal information provided.
    The public comment period will close on May 13, 2009 at 5 p.m. EST.
Any comments received after the close of the comment period will not be
considered.
    The full text of the Presidential memorandum is posted at http://
www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Memorandum-for-the-Heads-of-
Executive-Departments-and-Agencies-3-9-09/. The fact sheet on the
Presidential memorandum is posted at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_
press_office/

[[Page 18597]]

Fact-Sheet-on-Presidential-Memorandum-on-Scientific-Integrity/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  For information regarding this
Notice, please contact [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  In his March 9, 2009 memorandum on
Scientific Integrity, the President states that ``science and the
scientific process must inform and guide decisions of my Administration
on a wide range of issues'' and assigns the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy (the Director) responsibility for
ensuring scientific integrity throughout the executive branch. To this
end, the memorandum requires the Director to submit within 120 days a
set of recommendations for Presidential action to ensure scientific
integrity. If possible, for each comment you submit, please note to
which of the six principles below your comment relates. This will
assist in properly categorizing the public comments and responding to
the President's memorandum on Scientific Integrity. The six principles
from the memorandum are as follows:
    (a) The selection and retention of candidates for science and
technology positions in the executive branch should be based on the
candidate's knowledge, credentials, experience, and integrity;
    (b) Each agency should have appropriate rules and procedures to
ensure the integrity of the scientific process within the agency;
    (c) When scientific or technological information is considered in
policy decisions, the information should be subject to well-established
scientific processes, including peer review where appropriate, and each
agency should appropriately and accurately reflect that information in
complying with and applying relevant statutory standards.
    (d) Except for information that is properly restricted from
disclosure under procedures established in accordance with statute,
regulation, Executive Order, or Presidential Memorandum, each agency
should make available to the public the scientific or technological
findings or conclusions considered or relied on in policy decisions;
    (e) Each agency should have in place procedures to identify and
address instances in which the scientific process or the integrity of
scientific and technological information may be compromised; and
    (f) Each agency should adopt such additional procedures, including
any appropriate whistleblower protections, as are necessary to ensure
the integrity of scientific and technological information and processes
on which the agency relies in its decision-making or otherwise uses or
prepares.
    Comments from the public will help the OSTP determine what should
be included in these recommendations. Respondents are invited to
suggest: (1) Recommendations that would be responsive to the aims of
the President, (2) specific implementing strategies, and (3) data and
empirical evidence related to the effectiveness of strategies to
promote scientific integrity. Comments submitted are encouraged to:
     Be as succinct as possible (1000 words or less
recommended);
     Specify which of the prior six principles (a-f) are being
addressed with each comment;
     Explain views and reasoning clearly; and
     Describe how the success of particular strategies might be
evaluated or measured.

M. David Hodge,
Operations Manager, OSTP.
[FR Doc. E9-9307 Filed 4-22-09; 8:45 am]

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