Ethical integrity and good policy are the basis for scientific progress. We consider the ‘real-life’ context and impact of genomics in individuals, communities, and our societies.
The Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy’s Genomics, Ethics, and Policy program examines how advances in genomic research and medicine shape individuals, communities, and society. The program leads socio-ethical and policy scholarship on emerging and disruptive technologies—including large-scale sequencing, rare disease discovery, reproductive and precision applications, and gene-editing innovations—grounded in the view that ethical integrity and sound governance are essential to responsible scientific progress.
Internationally recognized for its anticipatory and comparative approaches, the program focuses on identifying and addressing emerging ethical and societal issues such as privacy and identifiability, technological adoption, and public engagement. Through collaborations with academic partners such as the John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics (DHG) , the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG), patient and community groups, and global research networks, the program develops ethical frameworks, policy analyses, and practical tools that guide multidisciplinary research and inform governance worldwide. This work helps ensure that genomic innovation advances in ways that are socially responsive, ethically grounded, and attentive to real-world contexts.
For any questions regarding potential for consultation and educational services on ELSi issues and challenges please contact: Rosario Isasi, JD, MPH.
