[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 34015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3032]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Establishment of the National Biodefense Science Board

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
Response.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary announces establishment of the 
National Biodefense Science Board. The Board will provide expert advice 
and guidance to the Secretary on scientific, technical and other 
matters of special interest to the Department of Health and Human 
Services regarding activities to prevent, prepare for and respond to 
adverse health effects of public health emergencies resulting from 
current and future chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological 
agents, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. Resumes 
or curricula vitae from qualified individuals who wish to be considered 
for membership on the Board are currently being accepted.
    To Submit a resume or curriculum vitae, send e-mail to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan Cibulsky at 202-260-7000 or 
[email protected]. The Board's charter and additional information 
may be accessed online at http://www.hhs.gov/aspr/omsph/nbsb.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority

    Section 402 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (Pub. 
L. 109-417) (codified at Section 319M of Title III of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f), as amended) directs the Secretary to 
establish the National Biodefense Science Board.

Function

    The Board shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary 
on scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the 
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. Duties include, but are 
not limited to, (1) advising the Secretary on current and future 
trends, challenges, and opportunities presented by advances in 
biological and life sciences, biotechnology, and genetic engineering 
with respect to threats posed by naturally occurring infectious 
diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents; 
(2) at the request of the Secretary, reviewing and considering any 
information and findings received from the working groups established 
under the authority of the Board; and (3) at the request of the 
Secretary, providing recommendations and findings for expanded, 
intensified, and coordinated biodefense research and development 
activities.

Structure

    The Board shall consist of 13 voting members, including the 
Chairperson; additionally, there may be non-voting ex officio members. 
Members and the Chairperson shall be appointed by the Secretary from 
the among the Nation's preeminent scientific, public health and medical 
experts, as follows: (a) Such Federal officials as the Secretary 
determines are necessary to support the functions of the Board; (b) 
four individuals from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device 
industries, (c) four academicians; (d) five other members as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary, one of whom must be a practicing health 
care professional and one of whom must be from an organization 
representing health care consumers. Additional members will be selected 
from among state and local governments, emergency medical responders, 
other components of the public health community, and organizations 
representing other appropriate stakeholders. Members shall be invited 
to serve overlapping three-year terms. Unless renewed by appropriate 
action, the Board shall terminate five years after the date on which it 
was established.

    Dated: May 31, 2007.
William C. Vanderwagon,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
[FR Doc. 07-3032 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]
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