Neurotech Execs Tap Political Leaders in Washington DC. Brain Waves: The field of neurotechnology, the focus of this blog, encompasses advances in brain science (neurons), information technology (bits) and bioengineering (genes). Up for discussion and analysis: the political, economic, ethical, and social forces that will shape the future of what will be one of the most important and fascinating stories of the coming decades.

About this author

Zack Lynch is author of The Neuro Revolution: How Brain Science Is Changing Our World (St. Martin's Press, July 2009).
He is the founder and executive director of the Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO) and co-founder of NeuroInsights. He serves on the advisory boards of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, the Center for Neuroeconomic Studies, Science Progress, and SocialText, a social software company. Please send newsworthy items or feedback - to Zack Lynch.
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April 2, 2007

Neurotech Execs Tap Political Leaders in Washington DC

Posted by Zack Lynch

Last Thursday, the Neurotechnology Industry Organization met with dozens of elected officials and policy makers in Washington DC to discuss the opportunities and obstacles facing companies and organizations working to improve the lives of those with brain and nervous system illnesses.

A key topic of discussion with elected Senators and Representatives was the group’s National Neurotechnology Initiative (NNTI), a proposed Federal research and development program designed to coordinate balanced and focused strategic investment across multiple agencies to accelerate development of vitally important areas of the field.

During NIO’s Public Policy Tour, executives from some twenty neurotechnology companies and organizations met with political leaders including directors from the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to discuss the role their offices can play in improving fundamental brain-related research and bringing new treatments for nervous system illnesses more quickly to those in need.

Neurotechnology leaders taking part in NIO’s Public Policy Tour included Accera, Inc, Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Adlyfe, Afferent Corporation, Boston Life Sciences, Brain Resource Company, Concentric Medical, Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Medical Device Network of Australia, NeuroScience Associates, Neurotech Network, NeuroVentures Capital, Posit Science, RemeGenix, Sound Pharmaceuticals, StemCells, Inc., Targacept, and The MIND Institute.

Elected officials met with included Rep. Brian Baird, Rep. Joe Barton, Sen. Bob Bennett, Sen. Benjamin Cardin, Rep. Steve Chabot, Sen. Pete Domenici, Sen. Byron Dorgan, Rep. John Duncan, Sen. Mike Enzie, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Bart Gordon, Rep. Jay Inslee, Sen. Edward Kennedy, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Herb Kohl, Sen. Trent Lott, and Rep. Todd Tiahrt.

In short, NIO's first Public Policy Tour in Washington DC was an outstanding success with significant support emerging for the National Neurotechnology Initiative.

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