As a result, it is noteworthy that, despite the linear metaphor of a “translational pipeline” that is often used to explain the classification of ELSI research projects addressing “genome research issues,” “clinical integration issues,” and “societal impact issues,” one recurrent theme that cuts across contemporary ELSI research is increased attention to the ways in which societal interests and concerns and clinical realities and goals loop back to affect the design and conduct of genome research itself. The amount of research currently addressing public concerns and social agendas in conducting large scale and translational genomic research is itself a testament to the way in which placing societal issues at the downstream or distal end of the translational pipeline for genome research has both the distance and direction wrong. ELSI research today is not really captured by a heading like “Genomes to Society”: in fact, much of it might be more accurately called “Society to Genomics,” or even “Genomics Through Society” research, because it proceeds on the assumption that genome research can only make progress by coming to terms with the many different stakeholders it needs to enlist in its efforts.
