[House Report 106-889]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
106th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 106-889
======================================================================
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING
ESTABLISHMENT ACT
_______
September 26, 2000.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Bliley, from the Committee on Commerce, submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 1795]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 1795) to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish
the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering,
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with
amendments and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Amendment........................................................ 2
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 4
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 4
Hearings......................................................... 5
Committee Consideration.......................................... 5
Committee Votes.................................................. 5
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 6
Committee on Government Reform Oversight Findings................ 6
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 6
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 6
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 6
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 7
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 7
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 7
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 7
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 8
Additional Views................................................. 11
Amendment
The amendments are as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Institute of Biomedical
Imaging and Bioengineering Establishment Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Basic research in imaging, bioengineering, computer
science, informatics, and related fields is critical to
improving health care but is fundamentally different from the
research in molecular biology on which the current national
research institutes at the National Institutes of Health
(``NIH'') are based. To ensure the development of new
techniques and technologies for the 21st century, these
disciplines therefore require an identity and research home at
the NIH that is independent of the existing institute
structure.
(2) Advances based on medical research promise new, more
effective treatments for a wide variety of diseases, but the
development of new, noninvasiveimaging techniques for earlier
detection and diagnosis of disease is essential to take full advantage
of such new treatments and to promote the general improvement of health
care.
(3) The development of advanced genetic and molecular imaging
techniques is necessary to continue the current rapid pace of
discovery in molecular biology.
(4) Advances in telemedicine, and teleradiology in
particular, are increasingly important in the delivery of high
quality, reliable medical care to rural citizens and other
underserved populations. To fulfill the promise of telemedicine
and related technologies fully, a structure is needed at the
NIH to support basic research focused on the acquisition,
transmission, processing, and optimal display of images.
(5) A number of Federal departments and agencies support
imaging and engineering research with potential medical
applications, but a central coordinating body, preferably
housed at the NIH, is needed to coordinate these disparate
efforts and facilitate the transfer of technologies with
medical applications.
(6) Several breakthrough imaging technologies, including
magnetic resonance imaging (``MRI'') and computed tomography
(``CT''), have been developed primarily abroad, in large part
because of the absence of a home at the NIH for basic research
in imaging and related fields. The establishment of a central
focus for imaging and bioengineering research at the NIH would
promote both scientific advance and U.S. economic development.
(7) At a time when a consensus exists to add significant
resources to the NIH in coming years, it is appropriate to
modernize the structure of the NIH to ensure that research
dollars are expended more effectively and efficiently and that
the fields of medical science that have contributed the most to
the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in recent
years receive appropriate emphasis.
(8) The establishment of a National Institute of Biomedical
Imaging and Bioengineering at the NIH would accelerate the
development of new technologies with clinical and research
applications, improve coordination and efficiency at the NIH
and throughout the Federal government, reduce duplication and
waste, lay the foundation for a new medical information age,
promote economic development, and provide a structure to train
the young researchers who will make the pathbreaking
discoveries of the next century.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND
BIOENGINEERING.
(a) In General.--Part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 285 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
subpart:
``Subpart 18--National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering
``purpose of the institute
``Sec. 464z. (a) The general purpose of the National Institute of
Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (in this section referred to as
the `Institute') is the conduct and support of research, training, the
dissemination of health information, and other programs with respect to
biomedical imaging, biomedical engineering, and associated technologies
and modalities with biomedical applications (in this section referred
to as `biomedical imaging and bioengineering').
``(b)(1) The Director of the Institute, with the advice of the
Institute's advisory council, shall establish a National Biomedical
Imaging and Bioengineering Program (in this section referred to as the
`Program').
``(2) Activities under the Program shall include the following with
respect to biomedical imaging and bioengineering:
``(A) Research into the development of new techniques and
devices.
``(B) Related research in physics, engineering, mathematics,
computer science, and other disciplines.
``(C) Technology assessments and outcomes studies to evaluate
the effectiveness of biologics, materials, processes, devices,
procedures, and informatics.
``(D) Research in screening for diseases and disorders.
``(E) The advancement of existing imaging and bioengineering
modalities, including imaging, biomaterials, and informatics.
``(F) The development of target-specific agents to enhance
images and to identify and delineate disease.
``(G) The development of advanced engineering and imaging
technologies and techniques for research from the molecular and
genetic to the whole organ and body levels.
``(H) The development of new techniques and devices for more
effective interventional procedures (such as image-guided
interventions).
``(3)(A) With respect to the Program, the Director of the Institute
shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary and the Director of NIH a
plan to initiate, expand, intensify, and coordinate activities of the
Institute with respect to biomedical imaging and bioengineering. The
plan shall include such comments and recommendations as the Director of
the Institute determines appropriate. The Director of the Institute
shall periodically review and revise the plan and shall transmit any
revisions of the plan to the Secretary and the Director of NIH.
``(B) The plan under subparagraph (A) shall include the
recommendations of the Director of the Institute with respect to the
following:
``(i) Where appropriate, the consolidation of programs of the
National Institutes of Health for the express purpose of
enhancing support of activities regarding basic biomedical
imaging and bioengineering research.
``(ii) The coordination of the activities of the Institute
with related activities of the other agencies of the National
Institutes of Health and with related activities of other
Federal agencies.
``(c) The establishment under section 406 of an advisory council for
the Institute is subject to the following:
``(1) The number of members appointed by the Secretary shall
be 12.
``(2) Of such members--
``(A) 6 members shall be scientists, engineers,
physicians, and other health professionals who
represent disciplines in biomedical imaging and
bioengineering and who are not officers or employees of
the United States; and
``(B) 6 members shall be scientists, engineers,
physicians, and other health professionals who
represent other disciplines and are knowledgeable about
the applications of biomedical imaging and
bioengineering in medicine, and who are not officers or
employees of the United States.
``(3) In addition to the ex officio members specified in
section 406(b)(2), the ex officio members of the advisory
council shall include the Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, and the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (or the designees of such officers).
``(d)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), for the purpose of carrying out
this section:
``(A) For fiscal year 2001, there is authorized to be
appropriated an amount equal to the amount obligated by the
National Institutes of Health during fiscal year 2000 for
biomedical imaging and bioengineering, except that such amount
shall be adjusted to offset any inflation occurring after
October 1, 1999.
``(B) For each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003, there is
authorized to be appropriated an amount equal to the amount
appropriated under subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2001,
except that such amount shall be adjusted for the fiscal year
involved to offset any inflation occurring after October 1,
2000.
``(2) The authorization of appropriations for a fiscal year under
paragraph (1) is hereby reduced by the amount of any appropriation made
for such year for the conduct or support by any other national research
institute of any program with respect to biomedical imaging and
bioengineering.''.
(b) Use of Existing Resources.--In providing for the establishment of
the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
pursuant to the amendment made by subsection (a), the Director of the
National Institutes of Health (referred to in this subsection as
``NIH'')--
(1) may transfer to the National Institute of Biomedical
Imaging and Bioengineering such personnel of NIH as the
Director determines to be appropriate;
(2) may, for quarters for such Institute, utilize such
facilities of NIH as the Director determines to be appropriate;
and
(3) may obtain administrative support for the Institute from
the other agencies of NIH, including the other national
research institutes.
(c) Construction of Facilities.--None of the provisions of this Act
or the amendments made by the Act may be construed as authorizing the
construction of facilities, or the acquisition of land, for purposes of
the establishment or operation of the National Institute of Biomedical
Imaging and Bioengineering.
(d) Date Certain for Establishment of Advisory Council.--Not later
than 90 days after the effective date of this Act under section 4, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall complete the establishment
of an advisory council for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging
and Bioengineering in accordance with section 406 of the Public Health
Service Act and in accordance with section 464z of such Act (as added
by subsection (a) of this section).
(e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 401(b)(1) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the
following subparagraph:
``(R) The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering.''.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act takes effect October 1, 2000, or upon the date of the
enactment of this Act, whichever occurs later.
Amend the title so as to read:
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to
establish the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 1795 amends the Public Health Service Act to provide
for the establishment of the National Institute of Biomedical
Imaging and Bioengineering. Specifically, the bill requires the
Director of the Institute to establish a National Biomedical
Imaging and Bioengineering Program which must include research
and related technology assessments and development in
biomedical imaging and engineering. The Director, with respect
to this program, must prepare and transmit to the Secretary of
Health and Human Services and the Director of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) a plan to initiate, expand,
intensify, and coordinate Institute biomedical imaging and
bioengineering activities. H.R. 1795 also requires the
consolidation and coordination of Institute biomedical imaging
and bioengineering research and related activities with those
of the NIH and other Federal agencies and the establishment of
an Institute advisory council. The bill authorizes
appropriations for the Institute for FY 2000 through 2002; and
provides for the transfer of appropriate NIH personnel and
research facilities for Institute activities.
Background and Need for Legislation
Breakthroughs in imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and computed tomography (CT) have revolutionized the
practice of medicine in the past quarter century, but those
technologies are currently inadequate in diagnosing some
diseases. The potential for advancement is unlimited and all
efforts to increase the rate of further developments will
simultaneously increase improvements in the quality of health
care. Breakthroughs in imaging have allowed physicians to
eliminate many surgeries, including exploratory surgery, and to
diagnose diseases at earlier stages of development, when
treatment is most effective. Because of advances in imaging,
patients receive more effective treatment, avoid painful,
expensive, and often dangerous surgical procedures, and live
longer.
The National Institutes of Health itself has recognized the
importance of this discipline by designating imaging as one of
the top four research priorities at the National Cancer
Institute. That designation is a positive and important step,
but the Committee believes that NIH's focus on imaging research
should be broadened beyond cancer, and that a new institute at
NIH is required to do it.
The Committee has heard testimony that the current
structure of NIH makes research efforts harder. Research
authority resides in the institutes. As a result, the success
of imaging research proposals was ultimately dependent on the
ability of imaging researchers to convince one or more of the
institutes--institutes whose primary missions and priorities
are in areas other than imaging--to divert funds from their
main activities. This sometimes requires artificially tailoring
proposals to create the appearance of disease or organ specific
research.
H.R. 1795 will modernize the structure of NIH to focus on
the exciting area of biomedical imaging and bioengineering
without the limitations of the current structure of institutes.
Hearings
The Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on H.R. 1795 on September 13, 2000. The Subcommittee received
testimony from: R. Nick Bryan, Professor and Chairman of
Radiology, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania; N. Reed
Dunnick, Professor and Chair, Department of Radiology,
University of Michigan Health System; and Dr. Bruce J. Hillman,
Professor and Chair, Department of Radiology, University of
Virginia.
Committee Consideration
On September 14, 2000, the Subcommittee on Health and
Environment was discharged from the further consideration of
H.R. 1795. On September 14, 2000, the Committee on Commerce met
in open markup session and approved H.R. 1795 for Full
Committee consideration, as amended, by a voice vote.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto.
There were no record votes taken in connection with ordering
H.R. 1795 reported. A motion by Mr. Bliley to order H.R. 1795
reported to the House, with an amendment, was agreed to by a
voice vote.
The following amendment was agreed to by a voice vote:
An amendment by Mr. Burr, No. 1, changing the word
``engineering'' to ``bioengineering'' wherever it appeared.
Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee held a legislative
hearing and made findings that are reflected in this report.
Committee on Government Reform Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, no oversight findings have been
submitted to the Committee by the Committee on Government
Reform.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R.
1795, The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering Establishment Act, would result in no new or
increased budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax
expenditures or revenues.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, September 21, 2000.
Hon. Tom Bliley,
Chairman, Committee on Commerce,
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1795, the National
Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Establishment Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Christopher
J. Topoleski.
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
Enclosure.
H.R. 1795--National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Establishment Act
H.R. 1795 would establish the National Institute of
Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, a new institute within
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for the purpose of
encouraging research into noninvasive forms of diagnosis and
treatment. The bill would require the institute to coordinate
and consolidate biomedical imaging and bioengineering research
activities with those of other NIH agencies and other federal
agencies. Additionally, H.R. 1795 would establish an advisory
council for the institute.
The bill would authorize the appropriation of the amounts
appropriated in previous years for the activities that would be
consolidated in the new institute, adjusted for inflation. The
bill would authorize the transfer of personnel, facilities, and
administrative support from existing institutes within the NIH
into the newly established institute. CBO cannot estimate the
budget authority necessary for implementing H.R. 1795 at this
time. However, because the bill would not affect direct
spending or receipts, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply.
H.R. 1795 continues no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
The CBO staff contact is Christopher J. Topoleski. This
estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the
Constitutional authority for this legislation is provided in
Article I, section 8, clause 3, which grants Congress the power
to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several
States, and with the Indian tribes.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 of H.R. 1795 provides the short title of the Act,
the ``National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering Establishment Act.''
Section 2. Findings
Section 2 provides findings on the importance of biomedical
imaging and bioengineering and the need for an institute at the
NIH.
Section 3. Establishment of National Institute of Biomedical Imaging
and Bioengineering
Section 3 amends part C of title IV of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 285 et seq.) to create a National
Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the NIH.
The Director of the new Institute shall establish a program on
biomedical imaging and bioengineering which includes research,
technology assessment, and development of new techniques. The
Secretary of the Health and Human Services shall also establish
an advisory council for the Institute.
Section 4. Effective date
Section 4 establishes the effective date as the date of
enactment.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is
printed in italics and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT
* * * * * * *
TITLE IV--NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES
Part A--National Institutes of Health
organization of the national institutes of health
Sec. 401. (a) * * *
(b)(1) The following national research institutes are
agencies of the National Institutes of Health:
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(R) The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering.
* * * * * * *
Part C--Specific Provisions Respecting National Research Institutes
* * * * * * *
Subpart 18--National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
purpose of the institute
Sec. 464z. (a) The general purpose of the National Institute
of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (in this section
referred to as the ``Institute'') is the conduct and support of
research, training, the dissemination of health information,
and other programs with respect to biomedical imaging,
biomedical engineering, and associated technologies and
modalities with biomedical applications (in this section
referred to as ``biomedical imaging and bioengineering'').
(b)(1) The Director of the Institute, with the advice of the
Institute's advisory council, shall establish a National
Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Program (in this section
referred to as the ``Program'').
(2) Activities under the Program shall include the following
with respect to biomedical imaging and bioengineering:
(A) Research into the development of new techniques
and devices.
(B) Related research in physics, engineering,
mathematics, computer science, and other disciplines.
(C) Technology assessments and outcomes studies to
evaluate the effectiveness of biologics, materials,
processes, devices, procedures, and informatics.
(D) Research in screening for diseases and disorders.
(E) The advancement of existing imaging and
bioengineering modalities, including imaging,
biomaterials, and informatics.
(F) The development of target-specific agents to
enhance images and to identify and delineate disease.
(G) The development of advanced engineering and
imaging technologies and techniques for research from
the molecular and genetic to the whole organ and body
levels.
(H) The development of new techniques and devices for
more effective interventional procedures (such as
image-guided interventions).
(3)(A) With respect to the Program, the Director of the
Institute shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary and the
Director of NIH a plan to initiate, expand, intensify, and
coordinate activities of the Institute with respect to
biomedical imaging and bioengineering. The plan shall include
such comments and recommendations as the Director of the
Institute determines appropriate. The Director of the Institute
shall periodically review and revise the plan and shall
transmit any revisions of the plan to the Secretary and the
Director of NIH.
(B) The plan under subparagraph (A) shall include the
recommendations of the Director of the Institute with respect
to the following:
(i) Where appropriate, the consolidation of programs
of the National Institutes of Health for the express
purpose of enhancing support of activities regarding
basic biomedical imaging and bioengineering research.
(ii) The coordination of the activities of the
Institute with related activities of the other agencies
of the National Institutes of Health and with related
activities of other Federal agencies.
(c) The establishment under section 406 of an advisory
council for the Institute is subject to the following:
(1) The number of members appointed by the Secretary
shall be 12.
(2) Of such members--
(A) 6 members shall be scientists, engineers,
physicians, and other health professionals who
represent disciplines in biomedical imaging and
bioengineering and who are not officers or
employees of the United States; and
(B) 6 members shall be scientists, engineers,
physicians, and other health professionals who
represent other disciplines and are
knowledgeable about the applications of
biomedical imaging and bioengineering in
medicine, and who are not officers or employees
of the United States.
(3) In addition to the ex officio members specified
in section 406(b)(2), the ex officio members of the
advisory council shall include the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
Director of the National Science Foundation, and the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (or the designees of such officers).
(d)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), for the purpose of carrying
out this section:
(A) For fiscal year 2001, there is authorized to be
appropriated an amount equal to the amount obligated by
the National Institutes of Health during fiscal year
2000 for biomedical imaging and bioengineering, except
that such amount shall be adjusted to offset any
inflation occurring after October 1, 1999.
(B) For each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003, there
is authorized to be appropriated an amount equal to the
amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) for fiscal
year 2001, except that such amount shall be adjusted
for the fiscal year involved to offset any inflation
occurring after October 1, 2000.
(2) The authorization of appropriations for a fiscal year
under paragraph (1) is hereby reduced by the amount of any
appropriation made for such year for the conduct or support by
any other national research institute of any program with
respect to biomedical imaging and bioengineering.
* * * * * * *
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
During the markup on this bill, I raised several questions
about the costs and duplication associated with the creation of
a new institute. At my request, staff followed up with the
Department, and Secretary Shalala responded with the attached
letter dated September 25, 2000. This letter concludes that
``the newly created Office of Bioengineering, Bioimaging, and
Bioinformatics in the Office of Director, NIH, ensures the most
effective and efficient deployment of resources to foster
research in this area.'' We should consider carefully whether
this legislation, with its requirement of what Secretary
Shalala notes is ``an expensive administrative structure, for
which additional resources would be required,'' is a prudent
and timely exercise, particularly in light of the new office
being established.
John D. Dingell.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services,
Washington, DC, September 25, 2000.
Hon. John D. Dingell,
Committee on Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Dingell: On September 14, the Committee
on Commerce marked up and ordered reported H.R. 1795, which
would establish a new National Institute of Biomedical Imaging
and Bioengineering at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
During the markup, you raised questions about the impact of the
legislation on the operations of NIH. I am writing in response
a request made by your staff to address these concerns.
NIH invests heavily in this promising field of research.
The majority of its Institutes and Centers (ICs) have
significant research efforts underway in bioimaging and
bioengineering. We believe that the application of imaging
techniques to scientific questions about health and disease is
part of the basic mission of NIH. We further believe it is
imperative that the ICs maintain their support for imaging and
engineering projects that are informed by compelling biological
questions.
The discovery of new imaging modalities and approaches is
being fostered in this collaborative environment, since the
engineers and physicists are constantly being challenged by
their biologist/clinician colleagues to develop new approaches
to studying the body. A critical mass of engineers and
physicists is present in many of these programs, providing the
necessary technical and theoretical insight to develop advances
in the biological sciences. There are many examples in the
various ICs of this synergy leading to significant discoveries.
Three Institutes--the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of Mental Health,
and the National Institute on Aging--are using bioimaging
advances to evaluate cognition. The National Heart, Lung and
Blood Institute is collaborating with other Government as well
as private sector researchers to develop new cardiac magnetic
resonance imaging and ultrasound techniques. The National
Cancer Institute is developing new, more sensitive diagnostic
and treatment tools using bioimaging techniques to detect and
cure malignancies that heretofore have been recalcitrant to
current interventions.
These are but a few examples of the tremendous amount of
research being conducted within the ICs, where collaborations
among scientists, physicists, and engineers are essential to
developing new technologies.
The establishment of another NIH Institute would require an
expensive administrative structure, for which additional
resources would be required, so as not to rob the existing NIH
ICs of their expertise and funds. While this Department and NIH
are thoroughly committed to this rich and exciting research
area, we have concluded that the newly created Office of
Bioengineering, Bioimaging, and Bioinformatics in the Office of
the Director, NIH, ensures the most effective and efficient
deployment of resources to foster research in this area. The
mission of the Office, for which a director is now being
recruited, is to provide a focus for biomedical engineering,
bioimaging, and biomedical computational science among the ICs
and other Federal agencies. The Office will develop programs
aimed at fostering basic understanding and new collaborations
among the biological, medical, engineering, physical, and
computational scientists and among the various ICs. The purpose
of the Office is to develop effective research strategies while
maintaining the core of the research at the individual ICs that
have the necessary expertise to ask the appropriate questions
and conduct the best research. In sum, we have carefully
considered various approaches and are convinced that at this
time a new Office, rather than a new Institute with its
attendant organizational layers and administrative costs,
offers the best and most practical opportunity to exploit the
many potentials of this critical research. Experience with the
new Office will contribute to the evaluation of the need for a
separate Institute for bioengineering and bioimaging at NIH.
I would be delighted to answer any further questions that
you may have regarding bioimaging and bioengineering research
at NIH, and I look forward to working with you as you consider
legislation that would enhance our research efforts. An
identical letter on this subject has been sent to Chairman
Bliley.
The Office of Management and Budget has advised that there
is no objection to the transmittal of this letter from the
standpoint of the Administration's program.
Sincerely,
Donna E. Shalala.