Exploring the ethical and social implications of genetic research on behavior and traits.
Official title: A Multi-stakeholder Approach to the ELSI of Social and Behavioral Genomics: Investigating the Field's Downstream Implications to Mitigate Harms, Promote Benefits, and Locate Social Responsibility
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11030238 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our genes might affect things like education and behavior, and it wants to hear from people like researchers, teachers, and parents to understand the good and bad sides of using this genetic information, so we can make better rules and practices for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | February 6, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $295,235 |
| NIH project number | 5K01HG013352-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030238 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals interested in the implications of genetic testing on education and behavior, as well as those who have undergone genetic testing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not engaged in or affected by genetic testing or its implications may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the ethical, social, and policy implications of social and behavioral genomics (SBG), which examines how genetic differences influence traits like educational attainment and behavior. By engaging a diverse group of stakeholders—including researchers, educators, and parents—this project aims to understand the potential harms and benefits of SBG. The research will involve in-depth interviews to gather insights on how to mitigate risks and promote positive outcomes associated with genetic testing. The findings could inform policies and practices surrounding the use of genetic data in society.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better policies that protect individuals from potential harms while maximizing the benefits of genetic information.
How similar studies have gone: While the field of social and behavioral genomics is emerging, there is limited prior research specifically addressing the ethical and social implications, making this approach relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martschenko, Daphne Oluwaseun — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Martschenko, Daphne Oluwaseun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.