February 24, 2010
The Development of Measurement Science by NIST Would Improve Biomedical Technology, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine ways the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) could better serve the needs of the 21st century biomedical community, including supporting the development of biologic drugs, improved diagnostic medicine, and the growth of personalized medicine.
“We all know that people across the country have recently been engaged in an ongoing debate over health care reform. That debate has focused in part on who should bear the costs for providing health care. This Subcommittee will take the discussion further and examine how we can use science to reduce our health care costs while improving care for patients,” stated Subcommittee Chairman David Wu (D-OR).
Witnesses testified that the development of an advisory board or panel, the establishment of joint NIST university centers for biomedical research, and the establishment of a user facility at NIST would help NIST be more proactive and responsive to the biomedical community in developing programs to address the measurement needs that will support better healthcare. Witnesses suggested that the user facility be modeled after NIST’s Center for Neutron Research and be open to individuals in industry and academia.
“The growth of the biomedical sciences is essential to providing better care for patients and better treatment options for doctors. Earlier and more accurate diagnoses of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, would save billions of dollars each year in medical costs. Moreover, better diagnostic tools and the use of personalized medicine can lead to more effective treatments that are tailored to a patient’s needs,” added Wu. “In short, advancing the biomedical sciences promotes patient health, saves medical costs, and will lead to job creation in the biotechnology and health care industries.”
This is a follow-up hearing to the September 24, 2009 hearing that examined the need to develop measurements, reference standards, standard processes, and validation procedures to improve the research, development and regulatory approval of biologics. During the hearing, witnesses expressed their opinion that there is a need for NIST to perform basic measurement science research to support the growth of the biologics industry
For more information, visit the Committee’s website.
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