JSC Becomes Coalition for Life Sciences

On December 12, the Joint Steering Committee for Public Policy (JSC) announced a new name: the Coalition for the Life Sciences (CLS). Since its inception in 1989, the JSC has focused on responsible science policy and adequate funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. In recent years, as the number of its society members has increased, the organization has expanded its interests to include science education, professional training, and the funding, management, and oversight of scientific work, especially by the federal government. Joining the ASCB in its CLS membership are the American Society for Clinical Investigation, Genetics Society of America, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Society for Neuroscience, and Society for Science & the Public (formerly Science Service).

"After careful consideration, the JSC board agreed that the name Coalition for the Life Sciences more accurately reflects our composition and our goals," said Nobel laureate Harold Varmus, Chair of the CLS, President and CEO of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and former NIH Director.

The CLS remains committed to the highly successful and well-regarded programs started under the JSC, including the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, the Congressional Liaison Committee, and Capitol Hill Days. For information on CLS programs, visit www.coalitionforlifesciences.org.