Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
Dr. Fauci opened the Monday afternoon, June 1, session of Council by welcoming visitors to the 129th meeting. He announced the appointment of the new ex officio member representing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Lawrence Deyton. Dr. Fauci welcomed the ad hoc Council members: Dr. Barry Bloom, Weinstock Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY); Dr. Alan Krensky, Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University (California); Dr. John Mekalanos, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School (Boston); Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University (California); and Dr. Terry Strom, Professor, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Consideration of Minutes of Previous Meeting: The minutes of the February 2-3, 1998 meeting were considered and approved as written. Staff and Organizational Changes: Within the Offiice of the Director, Sarah Carr, director of the Office of Policy Analysis, is leaving NIAID to work on genetic testing policy issues for the NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Jane Kinsel, assistant director, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) has been appointed acting director, Office of Policy Analysis. Within DMID, Dr. Stephanie James has been appointed acting deputy Director. Budget Update: Dr. Fauci told Council that the President proposed major increases for biomedical research in FY 1999 through the creation of a "21st Century Research Fund." The 21st Century Research Fund provides a $1.15 billion increase for NIH in FY 1999 and would increase NIH funding by more than 50 percent over the next 5 years. He also updated Council on the recent round of appropriations hearings in the House and Senate. Dr. Fauci expressed that he was pleased that both the Administration and the Congress continue to demonstrate a commitment to biomedical research. In closing, Dr. Fauci stated that NIAID's long-standing policy of allocating most of the budget increase to research projects grants will continue. Other: Global Health As the leader of research related to global health, NIAID will play a key role in developing and augmenting the nation’s efforts to address global health problems. Dr. Fauci told Council that work is already under way. NIAID is implementing a plan developed two years ago with help from the extramural community, to deal with emerging diseases and has been instrumental in developing the research component of a plan to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. TB Blueprint Committee NIAID is playing an important role working to eliminate TB. After Secretary Shalala requested the creation of a national strategy for TB vaccine development, ACET and the National Vaccine Program Office asked NIAID to convene a workshop to develop the strategy. NIAID assembled outside experts to provide recommendations and strategies for future efforts. The "Blueprint for TB Vaccine Development" workshop, held on March 5-6, was chaired by Dr. Barry Dr. Bloom. A report is being prepared for Secretary Shalala’s consideration. UNAIDS Vaccine Ethics Consultation On May 11-12, NIAID and CDC co-sponsored a meeting organized by the UNAIDS, Consultation on Ethical Aspects of HIV Vaccine Trials Conducted in Developing Countries and Sponsored by Developed Countries. The fourth of a series of UNAIDS consultations, the meeting gathered information and ideas on the ethics of international vaccine trials, including regional perspectives, in preparation for an upcoming UNAIDS-sponsored meeting in Geneva on June 25 and 26. The Geneva meeting will develop ethical guidance for the conduct of HIV vaccine trials and recommendations for modifying the International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects developed by the Council of International Organizations of Medical Sciences. Several NIAID staff participated in the Washington consultation, including Drs. Jack Killen, Rod Hoff, and Mark Grabowsky. Priority Setting The FY 1998 Appropriations Act charged NIH to contract with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a study of NIH research priority setting. IOM organized a committee, which focused on four areas: 1) the factors and criteria for making funding allocations; 2) the processes for making funding decisions; 3) mechanisms of public input; and 4) the impact of congressional directives. The Committee asked each IC to describe how it sets priorities and held two public meetings. At the first , held March 6, Dr. Varmus and Dr. Kirschstein provided a broad perspective on NIH priority setting and IC directors discussed their priority setting and public access to the process. At the second meeting on April 2-3, advocacy groups gave their views about public input. The Committee concluded information gathering early May. A draft report is under review, final expected to be submitted to Congress and released to the public shortly. New Training Initiatives Dr. Fauci told Council about NIAID’s new training initiatives, the K22, K23, K24, and K30. For more information about them, go to the NIAID web page at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/training/ Council Materials Copies of the Legislative Update, which describes hearings and bills of interest to the Institute, were distributed. In addition, the NIAID Office of Communications and Public Liaison provided Council members with several publications and press releases. back to top |