NIEHS Gets Its New Director

Duke University's Dr. David Schwartz will join the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences after all. A month ago, you may recall, Schwartz balked at taking the top job because of the National Institutes of Health's new conflict of interest rules, which forbid ownership in stocks of companies that may be affected by one's work.

NIEHS, based in North Carolina, is the agency that evaluates chemicals for their carcinogenicity and toxicity, among its other tasks. Virtually every company that manufactures anything is affected by its studies.

Did Schwartz get a special dispensation from the new rules? Has NIH gotten the nod from higher ups at the Health and Human Services department that it can repeal its most onerous restrictions -- the one that forbids stock ownership?

The press release is cryptic. NIH director Elias Zerhouni said, "I am pleased that we have been able to conclude his recruitment and address his concerns regarding the interim rules on stock divestitures."

Said Schwartz: "My concerns about the conflict of interest rules have been heard and are being seriously considered and addressed. I will work with Dr. Zerhouni and others at the NIH to ensure the careful handling of real conflicts of interests among our employees, while treating all of our employees reasonably and fairly."

Hopefully the morning press will shed more light on this situation. I know what I would have asked if I had been on the story.