Press Room

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.

The rule under consideration covers different entities—licensees, such as exhibitors and registrants (research facilities)—and proposes standards for handling and training of handlers of exotic animals, as well as environmental enrichment for all regulated species.

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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. 

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

February 21, 2023 

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

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. 

PRIM&R Announces Appointment of Quincy J. Byrdsong, EdD, CIP, CCRP to Board of Directors

February 10, 2023 

BOSTON – Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) today announced the appointment of Quincy J. Byrdsong, EdD, CIP, CCRP, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Byrdsong brings a wealth of experience in the field of research ethics and compliance.  

“Dr. Byrdsong is a leader in the field of research ethics and oversight,” said Elisa A. Hurley, PhD, executive director of PRIM&R. “His extensive experience in institutional leadership, keen understanding of the transnational impact of research, and deep commitment to justice and equity will be valuable additions to our organization. With his guidance, we will continue to create a world in which all who contribute to and benefit from research embrace ethics, welfare, inclusion, and trust as central to science and medicine.” 

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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.  

“Professor Patton will make an outstanding addition to PRIM&R’s Board of Directors,” said Elisa A. Hurley, PhD, executive director of PRIM&R. “His years of research at the intersection of social media, AI, empathy, and race bring an important and timely perspective to the leadership of PRIM&R, as it continues to advance ethical research in the 21st century.”  

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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.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Hendricks-Sturrup—an engagement expert, researcher, and bioethicist—to PRIM&R’s Board of Directors,” said Elisa A. Hurley, PhD, executive director of PRIM&R. “With her addition to our Board leadership, PRIM&R is even better positioned to advocate for ethics, welfare, inclusion, and trust as central components to science, medicine, and research.” 

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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.

Specifically, PRIM&R commented on the “Request for Information—Clinical Research Infrastructure and Emergency Clinical Trials,” published in the Federal Register last October. The federal government invited comments on “improving the US clinical trials infrastructure, and in particular, our ability to carry out emergency clinical trials” during a biological emergency, which is part of the National Biodefense Strategy and the American Pandemic Preparedness Plan.

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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.

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.

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

February 20, 2020
PRIM&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.

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.

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.

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.

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.