February, 2008

As many of you know, for the past three years, UNC and CCGS was home to a planning grant for a Center of Excellence in ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of the HGP) Research.  This fall we successfully competed for a full Center grant, proposing to investigate ELSI issues raised by the rapid expansion of large sample gene discovery and disclosure projects that characterize the current landscape of genomics research.  The Center for Genomics and Society includes faculty from the Schools of Medicine, Law, Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy, and Arts and Sciences. Aims include 1) conducting integrated research on ELSI issues raised by large-scale genomic studies; 2) using ELSI expertise to inform genomic research and policy, including establishing a consultation service for research ethics issues; and 3) providing training, education, and outreach, particularly focused on under-represented groups, to foster research informed by diverse perspectives.  Please visit our website for more information on our Center and scheduled events-
http://genomics.unc.edu/genomicsandsociety

To advance the goal of interdisciplinary communication, we are holding five seminars this semester that combine genomics/genetics research with an ELSI presentation, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 10:30-12.  Our January seminar, “The Environmental Polymorphisms Registry: Researcher and Subject Perceptions," was presented by Patricia Chulada (NIEHS), and Arlene Davis (UNC).

Upcoming  CGS seminar titles and dates: