NIH is seeking public input on a proposal to revise the NIH Guidelines to strengthen biosafety practices for research involving gene drive modified organisms (GDMOs) in contained research settings.  Part of the proposal seeks to: 

• Clarify the minimum containment requirement for research involving GDMOs; and 
• Articulate considerations for risk assessment and define institutional responsibilities for Institutional Biosafety Committees and Biosafety Officers.  

These proposed changes are consistent with recommendations contained in the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC) report, Gene Drives in Biomedical Research.       

The full proposal can be found in the Federal Register.  Public comments will be accepted on the proposal until October 10, 2023. Comments must be submitted using the electronic comment form.

Additional context on the NIH proposal can be found in the latest Under the Poliscope blog at: https://osp.od.nih.gov/turning-listening-into-action-a-proposal-to-strengthen-the-nih-guidelines/

Questions may be sent to SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov.  Also, please consider following us on Twitter @NIH_OSP