Statements and Testimony - 1998
- December 16, 1998 - Use of ASRs (In-House Tests) to Monitor HIV/AIDS Drug Therapy
ASM sent a letter to the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) requesting FDA's assistance in assuring that clinical laboratories will be able to continue using ASRs (in-house tests) to monitor the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS drug therapy in HIV/AIDS patients.
- December 14, 1998 - Congressional Round Table Discussion on Antibiotic Resistance
Dr. Gail Cassell, Chair of the Public and Scientific Affairs Board presented a statement and participated in a round table on antibiotic resistance convened by Senators Frist and Kennedy.
- December 7, 1998 - CLIA Quality Control Provisions
The ASM submitted a statement to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding quality control provisions in the Clinical Microbiology Improvement Amendments of 1988.
- December 7, 1998 - Use of Antibiotic Resistant Marker Genes in Transgenic Plants
The ASM submitted a statement to the Food and Drug Administration regarding the draft guidance for industry, "Use of Antibiotic Resistant Marker Genes in Transgenic Plants: Report and Guidance for Industry."
- December 1, 1998 - Proposal for Hazardous Materials: Revision to Standards for Infectious Substances and Genetically Modified Microorganisms
The ASM submitted a statement regarding the Department of Transportation (DOT), Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Hazardous Materials, Revisions to Standards for Infectious and Genetically Modified Microorganisms.
- September 1, 1998 - OSHA Post-hearing Comments
The ASM submitted additional information as post-hearing comments as requested during ASM's oral testimony on the proposed rule published by the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on October 17, 1997 in the Federal Register entitled "Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis."
- July 27, 1998 - ASM Letter to Congress Regarding FY 1999 Funding for the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control
The ASM sent a letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging their support for HR 4274 the bill that provides funding for the NIH and CDC for Fiscal Year (FY) 1999. The letter was signed by Dr. Gail Cassell, Chair, Public and Scientific Affairs Board and Dr. Stuart B. Levy, President of ASM.
- May 7, 1998 - FDA Microbial Reagent and Medical Devices Exemptions
The ASM submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration in response to the Federal Register Notice asking for comments on the proposal to exempt certain Class I medical devices and microbiological reagents from pre-market notification. ASM objected to a number of serological reagents and microbiology devices proposed for exemption based on public health concerns.
- May 7, 1998 - Department of Defense Appropriations
The ASM submitted a letter to both the House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees to recommend increased funding for the Department of Defense's (DoD) Military Infectious Diseases Research Program in Fiscal Year (FY) 1999.
- May 6, 1998 - National Science Policy Study
The ASM submitted comments to the House Science Committee's National Science Policy Study. The Science Policy Study, Chaired by Science Committee Vice Chairman Vernon Ehlers is conducting a review of national science policy and is developing a new long-range science and technology statement.
- April 30, 1998 - FDA Microbial Reagent Exemption
The ASM submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration in response to the Federal Register Notice asking for comments on the proposal to exempt certain Class II medical devices and microbiological reagents from pre-market notification. ASM objected to a number of reagents proposed for exemption based on public health concerns.
- April 28, 1998 - Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act
The ASM, along with the Coalition to Preserve Safe Patient Testing, wrote to Congress in support of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. The Coalition is concerned that H.R.2250 as proposed, would exempt physician office laboratories from any federal oversight.
- April 17, 1998 - National Institutes of Health Priority Setting Process
The ASM submitted written comments to the Institute of Medicine/National Academy of Sciences Committee to study the NIH Research Priority Setting Process.
- April 1, 1998 - National Institutes of Health - FY 1999 Testimony
Appropriations statement regarding NIH funding for FY 1999.
- April 1, 1998 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - FY 1999 Testimony
Appropriations statement regarding CDC funding for FY 1999.
- April 1, 1998 - National Science Foundation - FY 1999 Testimony
Appropriations statement regarding NSF funding for FY 1999.
- April 1, 1998 - Food and Drug Administration - FY 1999 Testimony
Appropriations statement regarding FDA funding for FY 1999.
- April 1, 1998 - U.S. Department of Agriculture - FY 1999 Testimony
Appropriations statement regarding USDA funding for FY 1999.
- April 1, 1998 - Environmental Protection Agency - FY 1999 Testimony
Appropriations statement regarding EPA funding for FY 1999.
- April 1, 1998 - Department of Energy - FY 1999 Testimony
Appropriations statement regarding DOE funding for FY 1999.
- March 9, 1998 - Proposed Bill to Restrict Access to Databases
The ASM sent a letter to The Honorable Howard Coble, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives commenting on H.R. 2652. The ASM is concerned that the proposed bill will interfere with the availability and use of information essential for the nation's scientific community to maintain its current high standard of education and exceptional progress in research.
- March 9, 1998 - Global Infectious Diseases
The ASM submitted a statement for the hearing record to Senator William H. Frist, Chair of the Subcommittee on Public Health and Safety of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee regarding global infectious diseases. In the statement ASM emphasized the critical role the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) play in the fight against infectious diseases in the United States and in the world.
- February 17, 1998 - Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis
The ASM submitted comments to the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration on the proposed rule to protect workers exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ASM's comments focused on individuals working in clinical or research laboratories and recommended specific revisions to the proposed rule.
- February 9, 1998 - Cloning Ban
The ASM sent a letter to all members of the Senate urging them as they consider legislation that would ban the cloning of human beings to be prudent and not restrict or impair critical biomedical research involving human cells, genes, tissues and organs.

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