The advent of the Human Genome Project (HGP) in 1990 sparked considerable apprehension about the potential resurgence of eugenics. Eugenics, in its simplest definition, is the scientifically inaccurate and unethical belief in improving the human race by selectively breeding people with ‘desirable’ traits and preventing reproduction of those with ‘undesirable’ traits. Bioethicists and concerned individuals feared that insights from genomics could be misused, much like in past eugenic movements, to discriminate against and marginalize historically disadvantaged groups. There were anxieties that genetic information might be used by employers or insurance companies to unjustly discriminate, echoing historical patterns of eugenic discrimination.
In response to these critical ethical and societal concerns, the National Center for Human Genome Research (now the National Human Genome Research Institute, or NHGRI) proactively established the Ethical, Legal and Societal Implications (ELSI) Research Program. For over three decades, the NHGRI ELSI Research Program has been at the forefront of funding crucial research. This research deeply examines the wide-ranging social and ethical implications of genomics, specifically focusing on the enduring legacies of eugenics and scientific racism as they intersect with new advancements in genetic and genomic technologies.
Building upon a strong foundation of addressing these historical injustices, NHGRI is steadfast in its commitment to provide leadership within the genomics field to actively combat structural racism and ideologies rooted in eugenics. Working in concert with broader National Institutes of Health initiatives, such as the UNITE Initiative, NHGRI is dedicated to dismantling the remnants of eugenics and scientific racism in all their contemporary forms. This commitment aims to cultivate a genomics community that is genuinely inclusive, equitable, and welcoming to all.
Furthermore, the NHGRI History of Genomics Program plays a vital role in this mission. This program is specifically dedicated to critically examining the historical context of eugenics and scientific racism. By fostering a deeper understanding of these past injustices, the program strives to promote the ethical and equitable application of genomics in the present and future.
A comprehensive understanding of the history of eugenics and scientific racism is indispensable. Only through this critical engagement can genomics truly serve as a force for positive change, fostering a future that is both inclusive and fundamentally humane for all members of society.
