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Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research

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Welcome to the Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research

The Mission of the Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research (CEIGR) is to lead research, education, and outreach for ethical genomic research in partnership with American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Our Center works Indigenous communities and researchers to identify and develop approaches to genomic research that align with the values, interests, expectations, and needs of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.

Vision

The Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research (CEIGR) is a multidisciplinary consortium of tribal partners, university researchers and community-based institutions working collaboratively to conduct culturally-grounded comparative research on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genomics in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. CEIGR engages with American Indian and Alaska Native communities to explore the potential role of genomic medicine and research in promoting and achieving tribal health and research priorities. The Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research (CEIGR) aims to model meaningful community engagement in genomics research and move toward inclusive and equitable research practices. 

Values

  • Sovereignty: Respect & support for tribal self-governance. The legal and political designation of sovereignty should inform all research endeavors with tribal communities. 

  • Integrity: Conducting research that is ethical and responsive to community interests

  • Collaborative: Building research capacity and co-development of resources

  • Innovative: Developing new approaches to data collection and community engagement

  • Intersections: Exploring the intersections of genomics and culture, politics, health, law, and identity

  • Dissemination of knowledge: Sharing our learning first with partner communities, and then with the scientific community

CEIGR members hold a consortium meeting in Seattle OK.
A selection of CEIGR members gather for a consortium meeting in Seattle, WA in Dec, 2019.
A contingent of the CEIGR Consortium meets in Sulphur, OK.

A contingent of the CEIGR Consortium meets in Sulphur, OK. 

CEIGR partners Brian Woodbury, Vanessa Hiratsuka and Julie Beans attend a consortium meeting in Seattle, WA.

CEIGR partners Brian Woodbury, Vanessa Hiratsuka and Julie Beans attend a consortium meeting in Seattle, WA. 

CEIGR Partners Jessica Blanchard and Christie Byars enjoy breakfast ahead of a CEIGR consortium meeting in Seattle, WA.

Jessica Blanchard and Christie Byars enjoy breakfast ahead of a consortium meeting in Seattle, WA. 

CEIGR Partners meet in Seattle, WA for meetings.

CEIGR Partners meet in Seattle, WA for meetings. 

CEIGR Team members are treated to a horse riding lesson by the staff at Project H3LP! in Eagle Butte, SD.

CEIGR Team members are treated to a horse riding lesson by the staff at Project H3LP! in Eagle Butte, SD. 

CEIGR partners Paul Spicer, Richard Sharp, Aaron Goldenburg, and Cecil Lewis attend a consortium meeting in Seattle, WA.

CEIGR partners Paul Spicer, Richard Sharp, Aaron Goldenburg, and Cecil Lewis attend a consortium meeting in Seattle, WA.

The Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research is a National Human Genome Research Institute-funded Center of Excellence in ELSI Research (RM1HG009042).