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NHGRI funds new Centers for Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Research
Date:10/10/2007

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As genomic research begins to touch more of us in our daily lives, it is essential that rigorous studies are undertaken to ensure that ethical, legal and social issues stemming from genetics and genomics are taken into consideration in the development and implementation of policies, said Elizabeth Thomson, D.N.Sc.., R.N., of NHGRIs Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research Program. The centers research and other activities will provide an important knowledge base from which to begin tackling these issues.

The new Centers for Excellence in ELSI Research, their principal investigators and their approximate total funding levels over five years are:

  • University of North Carolina-Chapel Hills Center for Genomics and Society
    Gail Henderson, Ph.D., $5.6 million

Genetic and genomic research has traditionally focused on small groups of people with relatively rare diseases. But cheaper and more efficient technologies are making it feasible to launch efforts involving thousands of individuals, many of which are aimed at uncovering gene variants involved in common diseases. The Center for Genomics and Society will assemble an interdisciplinary team to conduct research focusing on the ethical, legal and social issues unique to large-scale genomics.

Specifically, the centers team will examine the impacts of discoveries from large-scale genomic research for individuals, families and populations, with a particular focus on studies with implications for specific racial, ethnic or other socially defined groups. In addition, the center will look at the effect of large-scale genomic research on informed consent, the regulation and use of DNA samples, and the control and dissemination of large and complex data sets. The center will also offer a research consultation service to genomic researchers. The research conducted at the center will contribute to the translation of genomic research findings into clinic
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Contact: Geoff Spencer
spencerg@mail.nih.gov
301-402-0911
NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute
Source:Eurekalert

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