July 20 -- The Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking public comment on its draft Scientific Integrity Policy. Submit comments on or before September 1, 2023.
The draft Department of Health and Human Services Scientific Integrity Policy is provided as part of implementation of the Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-based Policymaking, to ensure that Agency stakeholders are given an opportunity to comment on this policy.
HHS developed the draft Scientific Integrity Policy (the draft policy) based on the National Science and Technology Council Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice. The draft policy includes specific provisions prohibiting political interference, ensuring independent review of scientific activities, facilitating the free flow of scientific information, prohibiting suppression or delay of scientific findings for non-scientific reasons, forbidding censorship or alteration of scientific findings, and protecting against retaliation. The draft policy also establishes clear procedures for reporting and handling allegations of scientific integrity violations, including those involving alleged political interference.
This public comment request is an opportunity for HHS to refine and strengthen the draft policy. We look forward to receiving your comments by September 1, 2023. Following public comment, HHS's final Scientific Integrity Policy will be published on the HHS website by February 2024. The website will include a mechanism for reporting allegations of loss of scientific integrity in HHS work.
HHS Scientific Integrity:
https://www.hhs.gov/programs/research/scientificintegrity/index.html
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-15408
