Funding Source and Project Period: NHGRI, 2010-2013

 

Key HIV Center Key Personnel:

Principal Investigator: Paul Appelbaum, M.D.

Co-Investigator: Robert Klitzman, M.D.

 

Project Overview:

(from abstract)

Research on the genetics of Psychiatric, Neurologic, and Behavioral (PNB) phenotypes reveals a panorama of complexity that creates several challenges: 1) the data are difficult for clinicians to assimilate and integrate into their practices, and even more so for patients and other members of society to understand and use; 2) because the traits investigated by PNB geneticists often have significance for our self-perceptions, new data can challenge our self-images in fundamental ways.  As the genetic variants predisposing to psychiatric, neurologic and behavioral disorders are identified, clinicians, patients/families, and the public need to be able to use this information to make good decisions, e.g., about testing, reproduction, and public policy.

In response to these challenges, with the objective of helping clinicians, patients and their families, and the general public better use evolving knowledge, this project is developing the framework for a Center of Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (CEER) on PNB Genetics.