Division of Genomics and Society

The Division of Genomics and Society is responsible for exploring societal issues related to genomics, incorporating and extending the institute's Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) research program and integrating NHGRI-wide activities in these areas.

Overview

The Division of Genomics and Society is one component of NHGRI's activities in the cross-cutting area described in the 2011 Strategic Plan as "Genomics & Society," which focuses on the societal issues that need to be studied and addressed as genomic science and medicine move forward. The division helps to stimulate and enhance the many genomics and society activities across NHGRI. At present, the major activity within the division is the extramural ELSI research program, which plans, directs and facilitates through research and training grants and contracts, multidisciplinary research to understand the societal issues raised by genomics. The division will also collaborate closely with the Division of Policy, Communications, and Education to ensure that the portfolio of the ELSI Research Program both informs and is informed by ongoing policy activities. In carrying out its mission, the division also:

Assesses the need for research and research training regarding these societal issues, determines program priorities and recommends funding levels.
Prepares reports and analyses to assist institute staff and advisory groups to carry out their responsibilities.
Collaborates with the other NHGRI extramural research divisions to consider the societal implications of NHGRI research initiatives and to establish a balance of resources, personnel, and research and training budgets to achieve NHGRI goals.
Provides expert advice to the director of NHGRI and the Senior Advisor to the Director for Genomics and Society, and to other senior NHGRI staff on various aspects of the societal issues raised by genomics.
Collaborates with other National Institutes of Health Institutes and Centers, and other national and international agencies and entities, and maintains an awareness of research efforts in relevant program areas.

Overview
The Division of Genomics and Society is one component of NHGRI's activities in the cross-cutting area described in the 2011 Strategic Plan as "Genomics & Society," which focuses on the societal issues that need to be studied and addressed as genomic science and medicine move forward. The division helps to stimulate and enhance the many genomics and society activities across NHGRI. At present, the major activity within the division is the extramural ELSI research program, which plans, directs and facilitates through research and training grants and contracts, multidisciplinary research to understand the societal issues raised by genomics. The division will also collaborate closely with the Division of Policy, Communications, and Education to ensure that the portfolio of the ELSI Research Program both informs and is informed by ongoing policy activities. In carrying out its mission, the division also:
Assesses the need for research and research training regarding these societal issues, determines program priorities and recommends funding levels.
Prepares reports and analyses to assist institute staff and advisory groups to carry out their responsibilities.
Collaborates with the other NHGRI extramural research divisions to consider the societal implications of NHGRI research initiatives and to establish a balance of resources, personnel, and research and training budgets to achieve NHGRI goals.
Provides expert advice to the director of NHGRI and the Senior Advisor to the Director for Genomics and Society, and to other senior NHGRI staff on various aspects of the societal issues raised by genomics.
Collaborates with other National Institutes of Health Institutes and Centers, and other national and international agencies and entities, and maintains an awareness of research efforts in relevant program areas.

Education and Community Involvement Branch

NHGRI branch responsible for education and community involvement programs to increase understanding of genomics and its ethical, legal, and social issues.

Policy and Program Analysis Branch

NHGRI branch responsible for policy development and analysis related to advances in genomics research.

Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Research Program

Fosters basic and applied research on the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic and genomic research.

Genomics and Society Working Group

The Genomics and Society Working Group was established in 2012 as a working group of the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research (NACHGR). The mission of the Genomics and Society Working Group is to provide to the NACHGR advice on short- and long-range planning and priority setting for Genomics and Society activities at the Institute, with particular emphasis on the ELSI Research Program in the Division of Genomics and Society.

The working Group provides annual updates to the NACHGR.

September 2014 NACHGR Genomics and Society Working Group Update | Watch Video
May 2013 Genomics and Society Working Group | Watch Video

Learn more at the Division of Genomics and Society Planning and Evaluation Archives.

Genomics and Society Working Group
The Genomics and Society Working Group was established in 2012 as a working group of the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research (NACHGR). The mission of the Genomics and Society Working Group is to provide to the NACHGR advice on short- and long-range planning and priority setting for Genomics and Society activities at the Institute, with particular emphasis on the ELSI Research Program in the Division of Genomics and Society.
The working Group provides annual updates to the NACHGR.
September 2014 NACHGR Genomics and Society Working Group Update | Watch Video
May 2013 Genomics and Society Working Group | Watch Video
Learn more at the Division of Genomics and Society Planning and Evaluation Archives.

Outreach and Activities

The division supports ELSI research and scholarship and works to ensure that the research findings are incorporated into genomic research initiatives and other NIH and NHGRI programs.

Trans-NIH Collaborations
Trans-NIH Citizen Science Working Group

Common Fund Projects
Human Microbiome Project (HMP), H3Africa Program, GTEx

NHGRI Collaborations:
CSER, NSIGHT, IGNITE, eMERGE, ClinGen

Outreach and Activities

The division supports ELSI research and scholarship and works to ensure that the research findings are incorporated into genomic research initiatives and other NIH and NHGRI programs.
Trans-NIH Collaborations
Trans-NIH Citizen Science Working Group
Common Fund Projects
Human Microbiome Project (HMP), H3Africa Program, GTEx
NHGRI Collaborations:
CSER, NSIGHT, IGNITE, eMERGE, ClinGen