Comment from Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGeraldOpposeAcademic
Summary: A Professor of Medicine and director of a translational science institute opposes the proposed revisions to federal financial assistance regulations. The commenter argues that the restrictions would isolate American scientists, hinder drug development, and limit access to global health trends and international talent.
[200.202(e), 200.220]
To Whom it May Concern:
I am a Professor of Medicine and lead the nation's first Institute directed at Translational Science.
I am writing in my personal capacity to oppose the proposed revisions to sections 200.202(e) and 200.220 that would restrict international scientific collaboration and isolate American scientists.
Our international collaborations have accelerated drug development for American patients and have strengthened our workforce by attracting outstanding recruits.
We benefit from early detection of emerging diseases and of novel technologies and therapeutic approaches by participating in global networks.
It is often through collaboration with such countries that we form relationships that enable recruitment of outstanding talent to the United States. Also, global trends in health and therapeutic and technological discoveries are not bounded by borders and we need to maintain our access to this information and these resources.
This rule will diminish critical inputs which benefit the American scientific enterprise and its ability to translate novel science into treatments that benefit the American public.