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CHANGE to Collaborate on Expansion of Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications in Genomics Research Hub

CHANGE is set to play a key role in a multi-institutional effort to expand research on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of advances in human genomics. This initiative, known as the Center for ELSI Resources and Analysis (CERA), has received a nearly $9.4 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) for its second phase.

Dr. Aaron Goldenberg, PhD, MA, MPH, director of CHANGE, will serve as the Site Principal Investigator for �ǿմ�ý's involvement in this collaborative project. �ǿմ�ý will work alongside Stanford University, Columbia University, The Hastings Center, and other allied organizations.

The CERA effort is led by Principal Investigators Dr. Mildred Cho, PhD, Associate Director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, and Dr. Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, PhD, Chief of the Division of Ethics and Professor of Medical Humanities and Ethics at Columbia University. 

Dr. Goldenberg said “We are thrilled to collaborate on this multi-institutional initiative, which will bring together scholars, trainees, and community members to support research on the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic advancements. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and contribute to the equitable integration of these innovations into society.”

The CERA initiative aims to build a community that contributes to the production of knowledge about the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics. It will utilize both relationships and technology to make this knowledge accessible and understandable to experts and members of the public alike.

The project will leverage �ǿմ�ý's expertise in bioethics and community engagement, particularly through the CHANGE center, to help foster connections between ELSI scholars, genome scientists, and diverse communities. This approach aims to ensure that ethical considerations are integrated throughout the genomic research and application process.

A key component of the initiative is the ELSIhub.org online knowledge portal, which will be enhanced with new tools to enable global, online discussions between scholars in ethics, social science, public health, and law, as well as other stakeholders.

The involvement of CHANGE in this project underscores the center’s commitment to advancing ethical research practices and addressing the complex societal implications of scientific advancements. It also provides opportunities for �ǿմ�ý students and researchers to engage with cutting-edge issues in bioethics and genomics.