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Press Releases

2025

Coalition Highlights Dangers of Undermining HHS’ Office for Human Research Protections

April 4, 2025 BOSTON – A coalition of four national research ethics organizations -- Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP); the Consortium to Advance Effective Research Ethics Oversight (AEREO); Consortium for Applied Research Ethics Quality (CARE-Q); and Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) -- issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Human Research Protections Thursday. Read More

PRIM&R Calls for ‘Clear and Comprehensive Guidance’

on ‘Pervasive Data’ Used in AI

January 22, 2025 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) called for establishing clear ethical guidelines to ensure data research is conducted responsibly. PRIM&R’s statement is part of the national nonprofit’s comment submission to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), regarding the potential development of ethical guidelines for research using “pervasive data.” Read More

2024

PRIMR24 Opens With Commitment to Involve Communities in Research to Enhance Trustworthiness of Science

November 20, 2024 SEATTLE – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R), a Boston-based national nonprofit working to advance the highest ethical standards in the conduct of scientific research, began its annual conference in Seattle on Monday with a focus on increasing public involvement and activity in scientific research to enhance trustworthiness of science. Read More

PRIM&R Announces Service Award Recipient

November 7, 2024 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced Nancy A. Olson, JD, as the recipient of the 2024 PRIM&R Service Award for her profound commitment to ethical research practices, coupled with her vast experience, skill set, and dedication to the professional development of others. Read More

PRIM&R Issues Statement on the National Institutes of Health’s

Final Scientific Integrity Policy

October 30, 2024 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) issued the following statement on the Final Scientific Integrity Policy of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is set to take effect on December 30.Read More

PRIM&R Announces Appointment of Ianthe Bryant-Gawthrop as Director of Programs

October 18, 2024 BOSTON– Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced the appointment of Ianthe Bryant-Gawthrop, MS, CRA, CIP, as PRIM&R’s new director of programs. Read More

PRIM&R Announces New Board Members for 2025

October 8, 2024 BOSTON—Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced the addition of four new board members who will help guide the national nonprofit in building trust in scientific research and advocating for the highest ethical standards in the conduct of research. Read More

PRIM&R Releases Podcast to Explore Scientific Research With Public

September 12, 2024 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) announced the release of its podcast, “Research Ethics Reimagined,” designed to help further the public’s understanding of scientific research. Read More

PRIM&R Presents at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Event to Recognize 50th Anniversary of the National Research Act

July 18, 2024 BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) invited Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) to provide a historical overview of the nonprofit, which was founded 50 years ago, as the federal government enacted the National Research Act in 1974. The new law required the development of guidelines to oversee and regulate human research. Read More

PRIM&R Announces New Board Members for 2024

February 21, 2024 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced the addition of four new board members for PRIM&R. The combination of board members will provide a broad base of experience to help PRIM&R continue to build trust in scientific research and further advance PRIM&R’s mission of advancing the highest ethical standards in the conduct of research. Read More

2023

PRIM&R Begins Annual Conference With Emphasis on Building Public Trust in Science

December 4, 2023 PRIM&R's supportive membership community provides resources and connections with colleagues from more than 1,000 institutions in more than 40 countries. PRIM&R members connect through continuing education opportunities, mentoring programs, regional connections, online forums, and virtual roundtables. Read More

PRIM&R Announces PRIM&R Service Award

November 2, 2023 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced Mark Barnes, JD, LLM, as the winner of the 2023 PRIM&R Service Award for being an inspiring and influential leader in the research field. During his 40-year career, Mr. Barnes has been an unparalleled leader in the areas of research misconduct, human and animal research oversight, health care law, conflict of interest, international research, and data privacy. Read More

PRIM&R Announces New Executive Director

September 20, 2023 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced the appointment of its new Executive Director, Ivy R. Tillman, EdD, CCRC, CIP. Read More

PRIM&R Comments on USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Proposed Rule

April 20, 2023 BOSTON—PRIM&R submitted formal comments to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the USDA for all animals regulated under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which includes certain species involved in biomedical and behavioral research. Read More

PRIM&R Statement on Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections Addressing IRB Effectiveness

March 23, 2023 BOSTON—The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (SACHRP) spent a large portion of its meeting on Wednesday discussing the recent Government Accountability Office report titled, “Institutional Review Boards: Actions Needed to Improve Federal Oversight and Examine Effectiveness,” and focused on one of the recommendations of the report. Read More

PRIM&R to Hold Workshop Focused on Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Research

February 21, 2023 BOSTON – As the development and deployment of artificial intelligence continues to move quickly, PRIM&R is continuing to gather thought leaders to consider how to ethically apply AI during scientific research. In collaboration with Drexel University, Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) will hold a virtual workshop on Wednesday, titled “Impact of Ubiquitous Digital Technologies and Evolving Societal Norms on Research Ethics.” The workshop is funded by the National Science Foundation. Read More

PRIM&R Announces Appointment of Desmond Upton Patton, PhD, MSW to Board of Directors

February 8, 2023 BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced the appointment of Desmond Upton Patton, PhD, MSW, to its Board of Directors. Professor Patton began his three-year term on PRIM&R’s Board of Directors last month. Read More

PRIM&R Announces Appointment of Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup, DHSc, MSc, MA to Board of Directors

February 8, 2023 BOSTON– Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced the appointment of Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup, DHSc, MSc, MA, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Hendricks-Sturrup brings a wealth of experience to PRIM&R, as she begins her three-year term on the Board of Directors. Read More

PRIM&R Weighs in on Future Bioemergency Planning

February 1, 2023 BOSTON — PRIM&R submitted formal comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) late last week, detailing how to create a better research infrastructure to react efficiently, effectively—and ethically—in the event of a future biomedical emergency. Read More

2020

PRIM&R Critical of EPA Transparency Rule

May 15, 2020 PRIM&R submitted comments to the EPA in response to their recent supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science joining other science and health groups in voicing serious concern about the rule. Read More

PRIM&R Comments on Desirable Characteristics of Data Repositories

March 3, 2020 PRIM&R responded to OSTP's Draft Desirable Characteristics of Repositories for Managing and Sharing Data Resulting From Federally Funded Research welcoming this step toward harmonizing policies and enhancing responsible research and presenting some recommendations to enhance the outlined desirable characteristics of data repositories. Read More

Animal Rehoming and Euthanasia, Sex Bias in Research, and more at IACUC20

February 20, 2020 BOSTON — PRIM&R submitted formal comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) late last week, detailing how to create a bPRIM&R's 2020 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Conference will take place April 5-7 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld® in Orlando, FL. Complimentary registration is available for credentialed journalists from health, medical, science, and policy outlets or beats. Read More

PRIM&R Comments on Draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing

January 16, 2020 PRIM&R responded to the NIH "Draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and Supplement Draft Guidance" applauding the proactive step to accelerate data sharing efforts and offering a few constructive suggestions centered primarily around privacy, informed consent, and oversight funding issues. Read More

2019

PRIM&R Responds to FDA’s Draft Guidance on Enhancing the Diversity of Clinical Trial Populations

August 2, 2019 PRIM&R responded to the FDA draft guidance on "Enhancing the Diversity of Clinical Trial Populations-Eligibility Criteria, Enrollment Practices, and Trial Designs," calling for more robust discussion of the ethics of enhancing clinical trial diversity and broad recommendation for sponsors to plan for the full range of risks historically underrepresented groups might face. Read More

PRIM&R Responds to FDA, "Proposed Regulatory Framework for Modifications to AI/ML-Based Software as a Medical Device”

June 10, 2019 PRIM&R responded to the FDA Discussion Paper: "Proposed Regulatory Framework for Modifications to Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning-Based Software as a Medical Device” asking the FDA to consider the ethical impact of generating training data and optimizing algorithmic models through data that comes from interactions with human beings in real time. Read More

2018

PRIM&R Responds to New NPRM Delaying Revised "Common Rule"

May 14, 2018 PRIM&R recently responded to the new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to delay the general compliance date for the revised Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, or "Common Rule," six more months to January 21, 2019 endorsing the proposal under the assumption that the agencies use the delay to produce guidance. Read More

Contact us

Members of the media are welcome to contact us for comment, background, or to request a complimentary media registration for upcoming educational offerings. Please contact PRIM&R's Public Engagment Manager, Daniel McLean.