NEXT TUESDAY! Join us in a timely discussion of vaccination in schools - registration link see below 👇

This Friday! Learn about the ELSI of scaling CRISPR to treat rare disease ->

New Publication by faculty affiliate Matthew Lebowitz and @appelbap.bsky.social How do people decide when genes matter for behaviors? The authors find a consistent asymmetry and the psychological mechanisms behind it 👇

Recent pub from our Research Associate Dr. Caitlin McMahon, and our Division Chief, Dr. Sandra Soo-Jin Lee. The team developed a Diversity Decision Map (DDM)—to help study teams and stakeholders identify inclusive decisions.

🤖⚖️ How should human–AI dissonance be addressed ethically? 📢 HC Senior Research Scholar Nancy Berlinger will participate in a conference on 2/9 presented by @columbiaethics.bsky.social to explore the clinical, legal, and ethical stakes. 🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4rz6RAR

In Freedom, Rights, and Vaccine Refusal: The History of an Idea, James Colgrove and Sara J. Samuel trace how antivaccination movements—from the late 19th century to the present—have framed vaccine opposition as a matter of liberty, parental authority, and freedom from state and medical coercion.

For scholars focusing on the intersection of science and society and looking for collaboration: Columbia Center for Science and Society is hosting a "Speed Networking" event: 🔗https://scienceandsociety.columbia.edu/events/science-and-society-speed-networking

Ethics Grand Rounds returns! "School Vaccination Programs in Crisis: Consent, Coercion, and Justice" Speaker: James Colgrove, PhD, MPH Moderator: Maya Sabatello, LLB, PhD ⌚2/17, 2026 1-2 PM ET 🔗Online: www.addevent.com/event/b51f52... 🔗In person: www.addevent.com/event/w20hjr... more info 👇

New Publication by faculty affiliate Matthew Lebowitz and @appelbap.bsky.social How do people decide when genes matter for behaviors? The authors find a consistent asymmetry and the psychological mechanisms behind it 👇

#ELSIFridayForum RECAP - There is genetic test to "optimize" your future baby throught PTG-P. On our January #EFF, we examined how renewed concerns about declining birthrates are converging with tech advances in private sector to reshape contemporary ideas of reproductive choice.

Celebrate a year of convening of Justice Dialogues! Justice Dialogues aim to expand the field’s capacity for justice-centered approaches in the development and use of emerging biotechnologies, genomics, AI, and precision medicine. Read more: mailchi.mp/cumc/may-141...

New in the AJOB: our faculty Alexis Walker published a commentary to “The Genomic Data Market” - on academic–industry partnerships in governing genetic data. In a corporatized university system, durable governance will require joint standard-setting across academia and industry.

Join our January #ELSIFridayForum: how genetic embryo selection is being shaped by commercial incentives, regulatory gaps, and shifting cultural expectations of parenthood. January 9th, 2026; 12pm ET/9am PT Register: www.addevent.com/event/kct18q...

Thank you for another successful semester of Ethics Grand Rounds filled with insighful discussions. For those who've missed our sessions - please check our website for the recordings and resources: www.mhe.cuimc.columbia.edu/ethics/event...

Join us in welcoming Matthew S. Lebowitz, PhD to our Ethics as an Affiliate Faculty member! Matt is an Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University and a Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Read our Q&A: www.mhe.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/new-fac...

Exciting news! Our Division Chief, Sandra Soo-Jin Lee and team (Shawneequa Callier and Janet Shim) have been awarded Making a Difference Grants by @greenwallfdn.bsky.social , to explore how shifting federal priorities are reshaping bioethics.

New publication in New Genetics and Society from our colleague Alexis Walker, ‘Forget the age of HIPAA and lean into the age of consumer privacy’: exploring ethics and responsibility among private sector genomics leaders using group interviews.

The Division of Ethics is hiring a Senior Communication Specialist to lead and support the communication activities at the Division and CERA/ELSIhub. More info & Apply: opportunities.columbia.edu/jobs/senior-...

The discussion called for ethical responsibility, transparency, and research that focuses on challenges impacting quality of life rather than neutral traits that are part of Autistic identity. Here are some key takeaways from our speakers.

How should autism researchers re-think their studies to serve the needs of the autistic community? Our last #ELSIFridayForum session, we examined longstanding tensions between autism research—especially genetics—and the priorities and lived experiences of Autistic people.

The World Congress of Bioethics 2026 will convene the panel Justice and Pluriversality in Global Genomics Research. The panel was organized by our Chief Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, presenting on research and community partnerships in global genomics. Learn More: consultus.eventsair.com/wcb2026/

Tomorrow!

We are hiring! Columbia Division of Ethics is hiring a Research Associate to help with ethics in emerging biotechnology and AI. Please distribute to whomever could be a great candidate!

Our Division Chief Sandra Lee has been awarded a grant from the @datascicolumbia.bsky.social on the topic “Reprogramming Governance: Ethical AI in Science and Health” 🤖To catalyze innovation in multi-stakeholder oversight, accountability, and trustworthiness in AI. More to come - Stay tuned!

ELSI in Review is a listing of recently published reviews of the literature on key ELSI topics curated by CERA staff. Our November 2025 set explores interventions to increase genetic testing for breast cancer and more. Read: elsihub.org/news/elsi-re...

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is hiring a new Director, and we’re helping spread the word across the ELSI community. This leadership role oversees NHGRI’s scientific vision, research portfolio, and its long-standing commitment to ELSI. Due Nov 21. hr.nih.gov/careers/open...

Next week!

In our upcoming ELSI Friday Forum, we’ll discuss the responsibilities of autism researchers to the individuals and communities they study — including the promotion of wellbeing, implementation, and best practices for engagement and communication of study results.

How researchers talk about autism matters. 🧵 🔍In their 2022 paper, “Autism research is in crisis” (Frontiers in Psychology), Monique Botha and Eilidh Cage examine how autism researchers construct autistic people through their language and frameworks.

New publication 📢 Our faculty member, Prof. Maya Sabatello co-authored a landmark paper with The SCD-PAPIR Working Group. 🩸 “Patients as Partners in Sickle Cell Disease Research in Africa: A Framework for Equitable Patient-Engaged Health Research”

Genomic and other Autism research raises hopes for improved health outcomes yet also raises concerns. 💡Join our upcoming #ELSIFridayForum to explore the responsibilities of Autism researchers towards the individuals and community they study. Signup: cumc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

New Publication from our faculty affiliate, @appelbap.bsky.social Can a person still claim the insanity defense if their mental state was affected by not taking prescribed medication? 📘doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.20250438

📢Ethics Grand Rounds | Nov 18 Join Gil Eyal, PhD, Professor of Sociology at Columbia University, as he examines how political pressures and public mistrust are reshaping the relationship between science, medicine, and the university. cumc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

This Friday! Join our Journal Club to discuss the implications of subcontinental genetic variation.

Tomorrow! See you at VEC & online!

🐖 As genetically engineered pig organs move closer to clinical use - as the materials for xenotransplantation, who decides what counts as success? Join us for an upcoming Ethics Grand Rounds with Brendan Parent (NYU). 📅 October 21st 🕐 1–2 PM ET Signup: cumc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

📢 Join us for our next Ethics Grand Rounds: Preparing for Clinical Xenotransplantation: Ethical Considerations for Post-research Pig Organs 🗓 October 21 | 🕐 1–2 PM ET 📍 VEC 902/903 & Online Featuring @Brendan Parent, PhD (NYU Medicine) 🔗https://cumc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3jUET89oGsGTpSC

📅Join us on October 10th, 12pm ET/ 9am PT for the next #ELSIFridayForum: Knowing or Not Knowing: The Ethics of Returning Genetic Risk Information for Alzheimer’s Disease Speakers: Ottman, PhD; Jessica Mozersky, PhD Moderator: Emily Largent, JD, RN, PhD. cumc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

🧬 New from Assistant Prof. Alexis Walker in Voices in Bioethics: “The Ethical Startup? Lessons from DNA Marketplaces” explores how platforms like LunaDNA balance user control, profit-sharing, and complex ethical challenges in the genetic data economy. journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/bi...

📢 Ethics Grand Rounds is back for a new season! Join us for thought-provoking discussions on pressing issues at the intersection of ethics, medicine, and society. 📍 Every 3rd Tuesday | 1–2 PM | VP&S Amphitheater 1 & Zoom 🔗 Details: www.mhe.cuimc.columbia.edu/ethics/event...

When companies holding genetic data go bankrupt (such as 23andMe), what happens to that data? Join #ELSIFridayForum on Sep 12th 12pm/9am to explore the ethical & legal stakes—privacy, discrimination & regulatory gaps. Register🔗https://cumc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Hm1ZkPmyKElAma

🧬 What happens when a genetic therapy is made for just one patient? How do we support and regulate development? @sandrasoojinlee.bsky.social and @appelbap.bsky.social from our Division discuss the ethical implication of “research-treatment hybrids”. 🔗https://jme.bmj.com/content/51/5/jme-2023-109729

📢 New ELSI Collections! 🧬 Stewardship Obligations for Biobankers Biobank stewardship goes beyond sample management—it's also about sustainable access, ethical responsibility, and trust. Explore key resources in this collection ➡️ elsihub.org/collection/s...

🆕 New from affiliated faculty Prof. Paul Appelbaum in Psychiatric Services, discussing a major shift in malpractice standards may move away from customary care toward reasonable care "Medical Malpractice: Coming Changes and Their Impact on Psychiatry" 🔗 psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...

📢 Now open: The Greenwall Faculty Scholars Program in Bioethics is accepting Letters of Intent through Sept. 15, 2025 (11:59pm ET). This career development award supports early-career faculty pursuing innovative research in bioethics. 🔗 details: greenwall.org/faculty-scho...

🆕 A new addition to ELSI in Review is live on ELSIhub ! This July update features recent reviews on key #ELSI topics—including ethical implications of using genetic predictions of aggressive behavior in the criminal justice system. 🔗 elsihub.org/news/elsi-re...

Today! Join us at 12pm ET ELSI Friday Forum with Drs. Gigi Gronvall, Jassi Pannu & Stephanie Guerra Biosecurity in the Age of AI & Genomics Explore dual-use risks & governance as AI reshapes biotech. 🔗 Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

🗞 NY lawmakers have passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act (MAiD), w/o waiting period and no residency requirement for MAiD. 💊 MAiD allows terminally ill, mentally capable adults to request medication to end life peacefully. Explore the ethical dimensions 🔗 www.mhe.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/ethics-...

🧬Join us Fri, July 11 @ 12pm ET for the ELSI Friday Forum with Drs. Gigi Gronvall @jassipannu.bsky.social and Stephanie Guerra Biosecurity in the Age of AI & Genomics Explore dual-use risks & governance as AI reshapes biotech. 🔗 Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Division of Ethics Chief, Sandra Soo-Jin Lee @sandrasoojinlee.bsky.social , joins the advisory board of a new study examining challenges and opportunities for the responsible and equitable use of AI in Virginia’s health sector. #Bioethics #HealthEquity #ResponsibleAI