The Science Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee is AACR's principal means for devising and implementing strategies to influence important biomedical research-related public policy issues. The committee analyzes public issues of concern to cancer researchers and focuses on mechanisms for speeding up cancer research. Its members periodically visit legislators in Washington, D.C. to make the case for increased funding for all forms of biomedical research, periodically submit testimony to Congress, government agencies and advisory boards and help shape special sessions to educate members of Congress and their staff about important issues affecting cancer research.
FUNCTION
For more than 25 years, the Science Policy & Legislative Affairs Committee (and its precursor, the Public Education Committee) has served as AACR's principal means for devising and implementing strategies to influence important biomedical research-related public policy issues. The committee analyzes public issues of concern to cancer researchers, focuses on mechanisms for strengthening funding for cancer research, and recommends appropriate activities to the AACR Board of Directors. The members of the committee periodically visit legislators in Washington, D.C., to make the case for increased funding for all forms of biomedical research. In the fall of 2007, the AACR opened a Washington, D.C. office to further strengthen its ability to represent the interests of cancer researchers before Congress.
COMPOSITION
The president of the AACR appoints members to the Science Policy & Legislative Affairs Committee based upon their interest and expertise. Members serve on the committee for a three-year renewable term. The committee ordinarily meets once or twice a year, often in Washington, D.C. It is supported the AACR Office of Science Policy and Government Affairs in Washington, D.C.
2011-2012 MEMBERS
Dr. William S. Dalton, Chairperson
Dr. Amy P. Abernethy
Dr. Francis Ali-Osman
Dr. Anna Barker
Dr. Mary C. Beckerle
Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn
Dr. Kenneth H. Cowan
Dr. Anne E. Cress
Dr. Robert S. DiPaola
Dr. Ethan Dmitrovsky
Dr. Raymond N. DuBois
Dr. H. Shelton Earp III
Dr. Michael A. Friedman
Dr. Leo T. Furcht
Dr. Stanton L. Gerson
Dr. Jackson B. Gibbs
Dr. Jennifer Rubin Grandis
Dr. William N. Hait
Dr. Roy S. Herbst
Dr. Elizabeth M. Jaffee
Dr. Roy Jensen
Dr. Judith S. Kaur
Dr. Michelle M. LeBeau
Dr. Thomas J. Lynch Jr.
Dr. William G. Nelson V
Dr. Perry D. Nisen
Dr. Gilbert S. Omenn
Dr. Sudip S. Parikh
Dr. David R. Parkinson
Dr. Steven R. Patierno
Dr. Mark E. Robson
Dr. Jason A. Sager
Dr. Laura K. Shawver
Dr. Peter G. Shields
Dr. Ellen V. Sigal
Dr. Donald L. Trump
Dr. Geoffrey M. Wahl
Dr. George J. Weiner
Dr. Eric P. Winer
Dr. Robert C. Young
Dr. Judy E. Garber, ex officio (AACR President)
Dr. Frank McCormick, ex officio (AACR President-Elect)
Dr. Aime T. Franco, ex officio (Chair, AACR Associate Member Council)
SCIENCE POLICY TASK FORCES
The Science Policy & Legislative Affairs Committee oversees two task forces engaged in specific science policy matters.
The Task Force on Regulatory Science and Policy was established in March 2011 with the goal of supporting the efforts of FDA to modernize the regulatory process and accommodate the fast pace of innovation in science and technology.
The AACR Task Force on Tobacco and Cancer was convened in 2009 to foster scientific and policy initiatives to reduce the incidence of disease and mortality due to tobacco use.
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Dr. Michelle M. LeBeau