Writing in the online publication of the journal Science, the group, including Indiana University bioethicist Eric M. Meslin, Ph.D., announced the creation of ELSI 2.0, an international “collaboratory” to better respond to the global aspects of the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of modern genomics.

The human genome project began with mapping and then sequencing the genes that make up human DNA, and the original ELSI program of the genome project did much the same thing:  “mapping” broad issues such as genetic discrimination and then “sequencing” the individual components such as genetic discrimination in insurance, housing and education, said Dr. Meslin, director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics and associate dean for bioethics in the Indiana University School of Medicine. Now, he said, ELSI research needs to move to the next level, to better understand how to ensure greater impact from research and how to design better policies.

“Society can benefit from the ELSI research being undertaken globally. The issues, the problems, the questions are no longer the province of a small group of ELSI researchers in a handful of countries,” Dr. Meslin said. “There are many genomics research initiatives worldwide, and now there are ELSI initiatives to match them. It’s time to leverage this amazing resource.”

The goal of ELSI 2.0 is to accelerate the translation of ELSI research findings into practice and policy, the authors wrote: “Through ELSI 2.0, ELSI researchers can be globally connected while still carrying out locally sensitive research.” ...

Read the full press release from IU Medical School News.