Genomics and Infectious Disease: Scientific and ELSI Issues of COVID

Genomics is being used in several distinct ways to understand and address the Covid-19 pandemic. Pathogen genomics investigates the genetics of the virus itself and enables identification and tracking of new variants, while host genomics investigates genomic properties in different individuals that influence infection, severity of illness, and transmission. After a brief review of key terms and current knowledge about COVID genomics an ethics framing will be presented to focus on novel ELSI issues relevant to the current pandemic. The session will prioritize engagement and discussion among the panel members and audience.

Our speakers are Gail Geller, ScD, MHS and Priya Duggal, PhD, both from the Center for Bridging Infectious Disease, Genomics, and Society (BRIDGES) at Johns Hopkins University. The session is moderated by Holly Taylor, PhD, MPH at the National Institutes of Health.

For more information on this topic, please see Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) at the Intersection of Genomics and Infectious Diseases in the ELSIhub Collections series. This literature collection is curated and explained by Collection Editors, Debra Mathews,PhD, MA, Assistant Director for Science Programs at the Berman Institute of Bioethics and Associate Professor of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and Sheethal Jose, a PhD Student in Bioethics and Health Policy, also at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.