In a surprising move, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has disbanded its advisory committee, NExTRAC, which was established to enhance community engagement in NIH-funded scientific research. This decision was announced following a presentation of the committee’s roadmap aimed at rebuilding public trust in clinical research, a priority emphasized by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. The abrupt termination of NExTRAC, which has been active for only five years, raises significant questions about the future of public discourse surrounding ethical and scientific issues in biotechnology.
NExTRAC was tasked with addressing complex biosafety and ethical challenges, including the implications of CRISPR technology and the use of personal health data. Its disbandment reflects a broader trend within the federal government, where numerous advisory committees have been eliminated under the current administration’s efficiency initiatives. This shift could hinder the integration of diverse scientific expertise and patient perspectives into federal health policy, potentially stifling innovation and public trust in the regulatory processes that govern emerging biotechnologies.
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