Meaningful research in the Human Virome Program (HVP) will require the collection of vast amounts of information - a process that raises a host of novel ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). To address these challenges, we have assembled an ELSI Core for this Virome Characterization Center (VCC) that is multidisciplinary in its design, incorporating expertise in bioethics and law, public policy, informatics, and data privacy.