Ethical, Legal, And Social Implications Research Articles

COMMUNICATING ELSI ISSUES IN NEUROBIOBANKING AND STROKE GENOMIC RESEARCH IN AFRICA: PROJECT INTERVENTION TOOLS DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Background and aimsActivities about appropriate community engagement and communication of research outcomes with stakeholders have received the attention of scholars in different sub-fields of clinical research. However, given its novel nature, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, community engagement addressing the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of neurobiobanking and stroke genomic research has not received much scholarly attention. Therefore, this study was designed to report the procedures for developing and evaluating intervention tools for the community engagement component of the African Neurobiobank for Precision Stroke Medicine ELSI Project. MethodsA community-based participatory research design was adopted to develop three intervention tools. An adapted Doak and Doak's Suitability Assessment Measure (SAM), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), and semi-structured interview questions based on Willis’ Cognitive Interviewing Techniques were used to evaluate the suitability, actionability, understandability and cultural appropriateness of the tools. ResultsPEMAT mean percentage scores of 71.4% for actionability and 82.4% for understandability, and a SAM suitability score of 67.9% were reported for the videos. Identified weaknesses captured in seven thematic areas after analysis of assessment by experts and community members guided the final refinement of the tools. ConclusionThe overall reviewers’ reports and evaluation scores indicate that, generally, the intervention tools are suitable for community deployment in the sub-Saharan African setting. Clinical researchers must clearly define their policy objectives, partner with key stakeholders, define desired behaviour change, and develop appropriate strategies, tools of engagement and communication channels.

The promise of ELSI: coproducing the future of life on earth

ABSTRACT Scientific knowledge and authority are central to dire warnings of biodiversity loss and climate change, as well as corollary visions of pathways for environmental repair and the provision of future human wellbeing. Such articulations of futures possible through the advance of science and technology, and especially genetics, have been extensively studied by STS scholars concerned with the ways society, government, and capital are ordered in relation to these expectations. In the Human Genome Project, projections of future benefit reached almost mythical – for some alarming – proportions, and initiated the now familiar model of institutional funding of Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) research. Following this model, the Earth Biogenome Project seeks to sequence the genomes of all life on earth, with expansive promises about the good that will follow. While the inclusion of an ELSI committee is treated as the application of a known model of social ordering, and as routine and natural for such a project, its remit and role in negotiating right modes of relationality between humans and the environment are neither straightforward nor well institutionalized. In so doing, the project contributes to the stabilization of a particular set of concepts and practices as constitutive of environmental ethics while at the same time constructing biodiversity in distinct ways that align with its vision of the scientific pursuit of good human futures. As such, the constructions of environmental ethics and biodiversity that the project advances are coproduced, contributing to the shared articulations of right human-environment relationships, and institutionalized practices for ordering the world accordingly.

Governing biotechnology to provide safety and security and address ethical, legal, and social implications.

The field of biotechnology has produced a wide variety of materials and products which are rapidly entering the commercial marketplace. While many developments promise revolutionary benefits, some of them pose uncertain or largely untested risks and may spur debate, consternation, and outrage from individuals and groups who may be affected by their development and use. In this paper we show that the success of any advanced genetic development and usage requires that the creators establish technical soundness, ensure safety and security, and transparently represent the product's ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). We further identify how failures to address ELSI can manifest as significant roadblocks to product acceptance and adoption and advocate for use of the "safety-by-design" governance philosophy. This approach requires addressing risk and ELSI needs early and often in the technology development process to support innovation while providing security and safety for workers, the public, and the broader environment. This paper identifies and evaluates major ELSI challenges and perspectives to suggest a methodology for implementing safety-by-design in a manner consistent with local institutions and politics. We anticipate the need for safety-by-design approach to grow and permeate biotechnology governance structures as the field expands in scientific and technological complexity, increases in public attention and prominence, and further impacts human health and the environment.

The ELSI Virtual Forum, 30 Years of the Genome: Integrating and Applying ELSI Research.

This paper reports our analysis of the ELSI Virtual Forum: 30 Years of the Genome: Integrating and Applying ELSI Research, an online meeting of scholars focused on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genetics and genomics.

Ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic risk prediction for multifactorial disease: a narrative review identifying concerns about interpretation and use of polygenic scores.

Advances in genomics have enabled the development of polygenic scores (PGS), sometimes called polygenic risk scores, in the context of multifactorial diseases and disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and schizophrenia. PGS estimate an individual's genetic predisposition, as compared to other members of a population, for conditions which are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. There is significant interest in using genetic risk prediction afforded through PGS in public health, clinical care, and research settings, yet many acknowledge the need to thoughtfully consider and address ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). To contribute to this effort, this paper reports on a narrative review of the literature, with the aim of identifying and categorizing ELSI relating to genetic risk prediction in the context of multifactorial disease, which have been raised by scholars in the field. Ninety-two articles, spanning from 1977 to 2021, met the inclusion criteria for this study. Identified ELSI included potential benefits, challenges and risks that focused on concerns about interpretation and use, and ethical obligations to maximize benefits, minimize risks, promote justice, and support autonomy. This research will support geneticists, clinicians, genetic counselors, patients, patient advocates, and policymakers in recognizing and addressing ethical concerns associated with PGS; it will also guide future empirical and normative research.

The New Precision Stewards?

The precision health era is likely to reduce and respond to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our stewardship and precision efforts share terminology, seeking to deliver the “right drug, at the right dose, at the right time.” Already, rapid diagnostic testing, phylogenetic surveillance, and real-time outbreak response provide just a few examples of molecular advances we dub “precision stewardship.” However, the AMR causal factors range from the molecular to that of global health policy. Mirroring the cross-sectoral nature of AMR science, the research addressing the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of AMR ranges across academic scholarship. As the rise of AMR is accompanied by an escalating sense of its moral and social significance, what is needed is a parallel field of study. In this paper, we offer a gap analysis of this terrain, or an agenda for “the ELSI of precision stewardship.” In the first section, we discuss the accomplishments of a multi-decade U.S. national investment in ELSI research attending to the advances in human genetics. In the next section, we provide an overview of distinct ELSI topics pertinent to AMR. The distinctiveness of an ELSI agenda for precision stewardship suggests new opportunities for collaboration to build the stewardship teams of the future.

What Role Does Regulation Play in Responsible Innovation of Nanotechnology in Food and Agriculture? Insights and Framings from U.S. Stakeholders

Historically, market regulation has played an important role in shaping the trajectory of scientific and technological innovation in food and agriculture. However, regulators’ traditional focus on safety and efficacy may be insufficient to address more complex ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of novel products, such as the use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in food and agriculture (nano-agrifoods). One solution might be to implement the principles of responsible innovation (RI) to challenge innovators and policymakers to better anticipate risks further upstream and be responsive to societal desires and concerns, although substantial barriers to implementation persist. This paper presents stakeholder views on the relationship between regulation and RI in nano-agrifoods based on a broader U.S. stakeholder engagement study conducted in the fall of 2020. We found that participants raised key issues that incorporated all 4 pillars of RI (anticipation, inclusion, reflexivity, responsiveness). We also found that participants’ attitudes about the relationship between regulation and innovation informed their recommendations about the relationship between regulation and RI. These attitudes are represented in a spectrum of views, ranging from “regulation as barrier” to “regulation as driver” of innovation. We further identified implications for how each attitude might be used to operationalize RI in regulatory systems. Overall, these results suggest that just as regulation drove key innovations in the twentieth century, regulation may still have a role to play in helping to promote RI of nano-agrifoods in the twenty-first.

25 Years of Molecular Psychology: The best is yet to come

This editorial defines the scope of the field of Molecular Psychology, which refers to the study of behavior and its underlying neural systems using the toolset of molecular biology, particularly molecular genetics and epigenetics. It is related to other well-established fields that use molecular tools in animal model organisms (Behavioral Neuroscience; Neuroethology) or that focus on molecular mechanisms of human mental health and disease (Molecular Psychiatry; Health Psychology), but extends beyond these fields by its inclusion of broad domains of human behavior; the precise molecular mechanisms by which environmental exposure and experiences modify gene expression; and the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of these discoveries. Considering the first 25 years of studies that included candidate gene and genome-wide association studies, I suggest a roadmap for the next decade of work. On the launch of F1000 Molecular Psychology: Brain, Behavior & Society, I hope this publication platform will become instrumental in growing this field by promoting a spirit of support and community among its practitioners, embracing transparency and rigor, and publishing novel ideas and studies ranging from pilot and proof-of-concept first steps to gold-standard definitive milestones.

The First Baby Born After Polygenic Embryo Screening

The First Baby Born After Polygenic Embryo Screening

Parental Guidance Suggested: Engaging Parents as Partners in Research Studies of Genomic Screening for a Pediatric Population.

Recent advances in genomic sequencing and genomic medicine are reshaping the landscape of clinical care. As a screening modality, genetic sequencing has the potential to dramatically expand the clinical utility of newborn screening (NBS), though significant barriers remain regarding ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) and technical and evidentiary challenges. Stakeholder-informed implementation research is poised to grapple with many of these barriers, and parents are crucial stakeholders in this process. We describe the formation and activities of a Community Research Board (CRB) composed of parents with diverse backgrounds assembled to participate in an ongoing research partnership with genomic and public health researchers at the University of North Carolina. The mission of the CRB is to provide insight into parental perspectives regarding the prospect of adding genomic sequencing to NBS and collaboratively develop strategies to ensure its equitable uptake. We describe how these contributions can improve the accessibility of research and recruitment methods and promote trust and inclusivity within diverse communities to maximize the societal benefit of population genomic screening in healthy children.

COMMUNITY INSIGHT ON THE ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF STROKE GENOMIC AND BIOBANKING RESEARCH IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to have a high prevalence of stroke. While rapid advancements in genomic science, biobanking, and precision medicine provide insight and opportunities for targeted treatment advances, the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of stroke genomics and biobanking require further exploration. Methods We conducted a descriptive qualitative focused ethnography using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across our team's existing Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network (SIREN) sites (n = 7) in Nigeria and Ghana. Interview guides were developed with expert input and beta tested prior to use and questions elicited perspectives on brain and blood donation, genomic research, biobanking, sample re- use, bio-rights, data ownership, informed consent, and return of findings. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and translated to English. Data analysis, using a framework analytical approach, was conducted. Site Community Advisory Board (CAB) members confirmed interpretation. Results We conducted KIIs (n =70) and FGDs (n =28) across the seven sites with stroke survivors, stroke free controls, lay persons, caregivers, and CAB members. Themes included limited awareness of genomics, biobanking, and precision medicine, informed consent preferences, the influence of cultural and religious beliefs on willingness to donate biospecimens, and the ELSI of sample sharing/data re-use. Belief systems and knowledge strongly influenced willingness to engage in genomic and biobanking research and participants conveyed desire for increased governance, autonomy over sample use, and benefit sharing. Conclusions Stakeholder input, obtained through qualitative inquiry, is critical in the design, conduct, and oversight of genomic and biobanking science. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to have a high prevalence of stroke. While rapid advancements in genomic science, biobanking, and precision medicine provide insight and opportunities for targeted treatment advances, the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of stroke genomics and biobanking require further exploration. We conducted a descriptive qualitative focused ethnography using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across our team's existing Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network (SIREN) sites (n = 7) in Nigeria and Ghana. Interview guides were developed with expert input and beta tested prior to use and questions elicited perspectives on brain and blood donation, genomic research, biobanking, sample re- use, bio-rights, data ownership, informed consent, and return of findings. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and translated to English. Data analysis, using a framework analytical approach, was conducted. Site Community Advisory Board (CAB) members confirmed interpretation. We conducted KIIs (n =70) and FGDs (n =28) across the seven sites with stroke survivors, stroke free controls, lay persons, caregivers, and CAB members. Themes included limited awareness of genomics, biobanking, and precision medicine, informed consent preferences, the influence of cultural and religious beliefs on willingness to donate biospecimens, and the ELSI of sample sharing/data re-use. Belief systems and knowledge strongly influenced willingness to engage in genomic and biobanking research and participants conveyed desire for increased governance, autonomy over sample use, and benefit sharing. Stakeholder input, obtained through qualitative inquiry, is critical in the design, conduct, and oversight of genomic and biobanking science.

An Ethics Checklist for Digital Health Research in Psychiatry: Viewpoint.

BackgroundPsychiatry has long needed a better and more scalable way to capture the dynamics of behavior and its disturbances, quantitatively across multiple data channels, at high temporal resolution in real time. By combining 24/7 data—on location, movement, email and text communications, and social media—with brain scans, genetics, genomics, neuropsychological batteries, and clinical interviews, researchers will have an unprecedented amount of objective, individual-level data. Analyzing these data with ever-evolving artificial intelligence could one day include bringing interventions to patients where they are in the real world in a convenient, efficient, effective, and timely way. Yet, the road to this innovative future is fraught with ethical dilemmas as well as ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI).ObjectiveThe goal of the Ethics Checklist is to promote careful design and execution of research. It is not meant to mandate particular research designs; indeed, at this early stage and without consensus guidance, there are a range of reasonable choices researchers may make. However, the checklist is meant to make those ethical choices explicit, and to require researchers to give reasons for their decisions related to ELSI issues. The Ethics Checklist is primarily focused on procedural safeguards, such as consulting with experts outside the research group and documenting standard operating procedures for clearly actionable data (eg, expressed suicidality) within written research protocols.MethodsWe explored the ELSI of digital health research in psychiatry, with a particular focus on what we label “deep phenotyping” psychiatric research, which combines the potential for virtually boundless data collection and increasingly sophisticated techniques to analyze those data. We convened an interdisciplinary expert stakeholder workshop in May 2020, and this checklist emerges out of that dialogue.ResultsConsistent with recent ELSI analyses, we find that existing ethical guidance and legal regulations are not sufficient for deep phenotyping research in psychiatry. At present, there are regulatory gaps, inconsistencies across research teams in ethics protocols, and a lack of consensus among institutional review boards on when and how deep phenotyping research should proceed. We thus developed a new instrument, an Ethics Checklist for Digital Health Research in Psychiatry (“the Ethics Checklist”). The Ethics Checklist is composed of 20 key questions, subdivided into 6 interrelated domains: (1) informed consent; (2) equity, diversity, and access; (3) privacy and partnerships; (4) regulation and law; (5) return of results; and (6) duty to warn and duty to report.ConclusionsDeep phenotyping research offers a vision for vastly more effective care for people with, or at risk for, psychiatric disease. The potential perils en route to realizing this vision are significant; however, and researchers must be willing to address the questions in the Ethics Checklist before embarking on each leg of the journey.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research: Methods and Approaches.

The article provides an overview of select methodologies that are commonly used in ELSI ("ethical, legal, and social implications") research. ELSI is a field that focuses on the analysis of the societal implications of cutting-edge biomedical research and technologies. The article aims to provide an accessible reference on well-established research methods that aspiring and seasoned ELSI researchers can rely on as a starting point for exploring how to design and conduct ELSI studies. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Genetic/genomic testing: defining the parameters for ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI)

BackgroundGenetic/genomic testing (GGT) are useful tools for improving health and preventing diseases. Still, since GGT deals with sensitive personal information that could significantly impact a patient’s life or that of their family, it becomes imperative to consider Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI). Thus, ELSI studies aim to identify and address concerns raised by genomic research that could affect individuals, their family, and society. However, there are quantitative and qualitative discrepancies in the literature to describe the elements that provide content to the ELSI studies and such problems may result in patient misinformation and harmful choices.MethodsWe analyzed the major international documents published by international organizations to specify the parameters that define ELSI and the recognized criteria for GGT, which may prove useful for researchers, health professionals and policymakers. First, we defined the parameters of the ethical, legal and social fields in GGT to avoid ambiguities when using the acronym ELSI. Then, we selected nine documents from 44 relevant publications by international organizations related to genomic medicine.ResultsWe identified 29 ELSI sub-criteria concerning to GGT, which were organized and grouped within 10 minimum criteria: two from the ethical field, four from the legal field and four from the social field. An additional analysis of the number of appearances of these 29 sub-criteria in the analyzed documents allowed us to order them and to determine 7 priority criteria for starting to evaluate and propose national regulations for GGT.ConclusionsWe propose that the ELSI criteria identified herein could serve as a starting point to formulate national regulation on personalized genomic medicine, ensuring consistency with international bioethical requirements.

Editorial: A Look at the Digitalisation of Education in the Context of Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications

In this article digital transformation in education and the associated ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) are considered. In order to make use of the innovation potential of mixed reality and artificial intelligence in vocational education and training, it is argued in this article that a constructive approach should be used for the ethical, legal, and social implications. To this end, after the introduction and a brief presentation of the potential of digital technologies, selected ethical, legal, and social implications are discussed in order to provide starting points and recommendations for a reflective approach to the ELSI aspects. Keywords: Digital transformation, Mixed Reality (MR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Learning An-alytics (LA), Human-Technology Interaction (HTI), ELSI

Gene-environmental research in Indigenous communities: sovereignty, data sharing, and community-relevant research

BACKGROUND AND AIM: American Indians suffer from higher rates of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and disproportionate exposures to metals and/or other hazards. Indigenous people in the rest of the Americas and Polynesia show remarkable similarities. Gene-environmental studies are key to creating interventions for these groups. Increased Indigenous participation is also key. However, trust to participate can only be manifested when research relevance and respect for Indigenous sovereignty are included in community education METHODS: Due to the limited publication of qualitative research on this type of engagement, a Scoping Review was not feasible. Instead, we conducted a narrative literature review of articles studying genomics using a participatory approach with Indigenous communities between 2012 and the present. We evaluated whether these studies have considered environmental exposures. We also evaluated if environmental studies in Indigenous communities have considered genomics their engagements. Search terms such as environment, genomic and Indigenous were used. RESULTS:In 2009, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (2009) funded a large number of genomic projects. Consequently, databases showed a substantial rise of genomic manuscripts by 2012. The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) of genomics publications showed a similar pattern. Since, many such publications have engaged Indigenous communities about genomic data but few have paired the exposome in their community education or attitude surveys. Moreover, none assessed research participation likelihood if the paired topics could demonstrate the usefulness of combined inquiry. CONCLUSIONS:Few studies have explained the impact of multifactorial research to communities. Many reasons obligate the genomic environmental researchers to look at Human Health holistically. The Exposome provides the opportunity to jointly study human genomics & systemically biased socio-economic realities that negatively impact Indigenous communities. Successful research recruitment must account for the historic mistrust of Indigenous communities and could be reversed by an explication of interactions that lead to disparity KEYWORDS: American Indian, Environmental Exposure, Exposome, Amerindigenous, Community Engagement, ELSI

Perception of personalized medicine, pharmacogenomics, and genetic testing among undergraduates in Hong Kong

BackgroundThe global development and advancement of genomic medicine in the recent decade has accelerated the implementation of personalized medicine (PM) and pharmacogenomics (PGx) into clinical practice, while catalyzing the emergence of genetic testing (GT) with relevant ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI).ResultsThe perception of university undergraduates with regards to PM and PGx was investigated, and 80% of undergraduates valued PM as a promising healthcare model with 66% indicating awareness of personal genome testing companies. When asked about the curriculum design towards PM and PGx, compared to undergraduates in non-medically related curriculum, those studying in medically related curriculum had an adjusted 7.2 odds of perceiving that their curriculum was well-designed for learning PGx (95% CI 3.6–14.6) and a 3.7 odds of perceiving that PGx was important in their study (95% CI 2.0–6.8). Despite this, only 16% of medically related curriculum undergraduates would consider embarking on future education on PM.When asked about their perceptions on GT, 60% rated their genetic knowledge as “School Biology” level or below while 76% would consider undergoing a genetic test. As for ELSI, 75% of undergraduates perceived that they were aware of ethical issues of GT in general, particularly on “Patient Privacy” (80%) and “Data Confidentiality” (68%).Undergraduates were also asked about their perceived reaction upon receiving an unfavorable result from GT, and over half of the participants perceived that they would feel “helpless or pessimistic” (56%), “inadequate or different” (59%), and “disadvantaged at job seeking” (59%), while older undergraduates had an adjusted 2.0 odds of holding the latter opinion (95% CI 1.1–3.5), compared to younger undergraduates.ConclusionHong Kong undergraduates showed a high awareness of PM but insufficient genetic knowledge and low interest in pursuing a career towards PM. They were generally aware of ethical issues of GT and especially concerned about patient privacy and data confidentiality. There was a predominance of pessimistic views towards unfavorable testing results. This study calls for the attention to evaluate education and talent development on genomics, and update existing legal frameworks on genetic testing in Hong Kong.

Digital Technologies and Data Science as Health Enablers: An Outline of Appealing Promises and Compelling Ethical, Legal, and Social Challenges.

Digital technologies and data science have laid down the promise to revolutionize healthcare by transforming the way health and disease are analyzed and managed in the future. Digital health applications in healthcare include telemedicine, electronic health records, wearable, implantable, injectable and ingestible digital medical devices, health mobile apps as well as the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to medical and public health prognosis and decision-making. As is often the case with technological advancement, progress in digital health raises compelling ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). This article aims to succinctly map relevant ELSI of the digital health field. The issues of patient autonomy; assessment, value attribution, and validation of health innovation; equity and trustworthiness in healthcare; professional roles and skills and data protection and security are highlighted against the backdrop of the risks of dehumanization of care, the limitations of machine learning-based decision-making and, ultimately, the future contours of human interaction in medicine and public health. The running theme to this article is the underlying tension between the promises of digital health and its many challenges, which is heightened by the contrasting pace of scientific progress and the timed responses provided by law and ethics. Digital applications can prove to be valuable allies for human skills in medicine and public health. Similarly, ethics and the law can be interpreted and perceived as more than obstacles, but also promoters of fairness, inclusiveness, creativity and innovation in health.

Ethical, legal and social implications of human genome studies in radiation research: a workshop report for studies on atomic bomb survivors at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation.

The Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) is the primary organization in Japan dedicated to studying the health consequences of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in World War II. In December 2020, RERF held a virtual international workshop on the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genome studies. In this workshop, the ELSI considerations of future human genome studies on radiation research including atomic bomb survivors and their families were discussed. Since genome sequencing (GS) is now practical and affordable, RERF now plans GS of parents/child trios to examine genetic effects of atomic bomb radiation. As such studies may engender some novel risks and benefits, ethics review and engagement with families (including consent) need to be considered. These include protection of individual privacy, use of samples from deceased prior participants, return of results to the participants, public sharing of genome data and advance science and social welfare. Specifically with regard to social welfare, the results of such studies may have implications for public and government decision-making regarding social benefits of victims and other important questions. Based on these broad-ranging discussions we have developed the following concepts to guide this work: “trust,” “compromise” and “relationship building,” inclusive of the concerned stakeholders, scientific aims and Japanese society at large. We conclude that in order to realize, establish and maintain these concepts, it is essential to put procedures into place to ensure the successful, consensus-based implementation of the RERF studies.

Promoting diversity and inclusion in neuroscience and neuroethics.

Neuroscience is moving at breakneck speed towards understanding how the nervous system and the human brain function in order to develop novel treatments for neurological, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Pursuing responsible neuroscience research requires a range of potential ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) to be addressed. Neuroethics seeks to address these ethical considerations. Like other biological sciences, neuroscience and neuroethics struggle with diversity yet there are compelling reasons to foster diversity in these disciplines.