ASSEMBLY SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 224

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

      The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Joint Resolution No. 224.

      As amended and reported, this joint resolution designates the third Thursday of April of each year as “Biomedical Research Awareness Day.” Professionals in the Biomedical and Life Sciences fields have produced vaccines for life-threatening infections such as COVID-19 and have found treatments and cures for debilitating diseases like AIDS and cancer. There are many professionals working in the Biomedical and Life Sciences including scientists, researchers, and biomedical safety experts who ensure medical devices are safe for human use and veterinary and animal care staff who treat and care for animals. Other professionals such as bioethicists have questioned the ethical issues that emerge from advances in the Biomedical and Life Sciences. Attracting students to Biomedical and Life Sciences fields should be a principal concern for our society and healthcare system because humanity will continue to face diseases, conditions, and infections, which will require future cures and treatments. By designating a day each year to these professionals, the committee intends to attract new students to this important field.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to remove reference to September 16, 2021 as being designated “Biomedical Research Awareness Day.”