Human Tissue Samples: NIH Research Policies and Practices
Human Tissue Samples: NIH Research Policies and Practices
Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you for your continued leadership into the investigation of another important public health issue.
During my tenure in Congress, I have had the privilege of visiting NIH multiple times. After each visit, I am amazed by the research and study that their scientists perform on a daily basis. After each visit, my hope that a cure for cancer, a cure for Alzheimer's, will be found, if not during my lifetime, then my children's. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the doctors, researchers, and scientists at the NIH for their dedication to such a noble profession.
However, as within any organization, even the noblest of endeavors can go astray if unethical individuals are present. It is my opinion that outside consulting by scientists is not, within itself, an unethical practice. While outside consulting is currently prohibited by NIH employees, I believe that these types of arrangements can be extremely beneficial to society if constructed in an ethical and transparent manner. The situation before us involving Dr. Sunderland is an egregious example of how the system can fail if there is a lack of transparency and a lack of ethical behavior. Dr. Molchan, thank you for bringing this unconscionable situation to our attention.
In preparation of today's hearing, the committee released a bipartisan staff report to the Members of this subcommittee. I think it is important to note that the bipartisan staff report concluded, and I quote, "It should be noted that the Committee staff found no evidence that Pfizer had any knowledge relating to the questionable conduct of Dr. Sunderland in connection with the April 1998 MTA and the subsequent shipments of samples." End quote. The unethical practice lies clearly, and solely, with Dr. Sunderland.
Congress will soon begin our work on the reauthorization of NIH. I feel certain that we will use the lessons learned today and tomorrow throughout the reauthorization process. It is our role to provide adequate oversight over NIH and ensure that taxpayers dollars and other resources, including tissue samples, are used in a worthwhile and ethical manner. We must not abdicate our responsibility to the American public regarding this important task.
Again, Mr. Chairman, I thank you for this hearing and look forward to a lively discussion on some of NIH's practices and procedures concerning human tissue samples.
I yield back the remainder of my time.
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