# Ethical, Legal, Social and Governance Issues in Non-Traditional Genetics and Genomics

> **NIH NIH R03** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $80,333

## Abstract

A large and highly heterogeneous group of individuals conducts genetic and genomic research
outside of traditional corporate and academic settings. They can be an important source of
innovation, but their activities largely take place beyond the purview of existing regulatory
systems for promoting safe and ethical practices. Historically the gene-targeting technology
available for non-traditional biology (NTB) experiments has been limited, and therefore they
have attracted little regulatory attention. New techniques such as CRISPR-cas9, however, may
create a need for alternate governance approaches. The investigators will explore whether
alternate governance approaches might be needed and, if so, what governance approaches
would be most likely to enable non-traditional experiments to be conducted safely and ethically.
To accomplish this overall objective, the project will identify current types of NTB activities and
those likely in the near future; consider the risks and benefits of current and near-term NTB;
conduct a policy analysis of the current governance approach and potential alternate
approaches; disseminate a preliminary report of their findings to stakeholders, and incorporate
their feedback into a final report that they will disseminate through peer-reviewed publications,
formal presentations to scientific, legal, bioethics, and policy conferences, policy briefs, and
presentations to NTB community labs, meetings, and conferences.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9921450
- **Project number:** 5R03HG010256-02
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MAXWELL J MEHLMAN
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $80,333
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-01 → 2021-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9921450

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9921450, Ethical, Legal, Social and Governance Issues in Non-Traditional Genetics and Genomics (5R03HG010256-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9921450. Licensed CC0.

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