Launched alongside the U.S. Human Genome Project (HGP)^※1）, ELSI was designed to address societal concerns arising from genomic research and inform policy development. While the program has achieved significant academic success, its policy impact has long been debated. Critics argue that ELSI has failed to deliver tangible outcomes, functioning more as a scholarly exercise than a driver of legislative or regulatory change—a perception reinforced by Watson's sarcastic remark that he wanted a group that would "talk and talk and never get anything done."

Initially, ELSI aimed to develop policy options but lacked formal mechanisms—such as advisory bodies or direct channels—to translate findings into actionable policy. This structural gap fueled skepticism, with some viewing ELSI funding as a "political tax" to advance the HGP without regulatory interference. Supporters counter that ELSI's role is foundational, providing conceptual groundwork for future applied studies rather than immediate policy solutions. They stress that the trajectory from research to policy is non-linear and that independence from predefined frameworks safeguards intellectual integrity.

Nevertheless, as genomics advances rapidly today, ethical and policy engagement is more urgent than ever. In this context, the authors call for invigorating ELSI through two guiding principles:

Symmetry - Strengthen the connection between ELSI research and policy development.

Reflexivity - Apply ELSI's own critical perspective to its practices, ensuring research considers real-world consequences.

They advocate for an "engineering outlook"—embedding policy-oriented design into research projects and fostering coproductive engagement with policymakers. This approach frames policy consideration as an intellectual exercise intrinsic to research, not a mere application of knowledge.

Furthermore, the authors proposed two strategies:

Design Integration - Each project should anticipate future societal trajectories and policy needs, incorporating these considerations into planning and implementation, even though the project itself does not directly contribute to specific policy development.

Policy Engagement - Systematic interaction between ELSI researchers and policy actors through forums, workshops, and collaborative review processes. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) should act as a "boundary organization," balancing coordination with autonomy to avoid coercive control.

The authors caution against passive reliance on external initiatives or limiting ELSI to upstream academic inquiries, which risk reinforcing Watson's criticism of ineffectual deliberation. Instead, they call for proactive collaboration that aligns with ELSI's original mission: optimizing genomic knowledge for human welfare through mutual co-creation between science, ethics, and policy.

James Watson, who passed away in the United States on November 6, was celebrated for his Nobel Prize-winning scientific achievements but also criticized for racially insensitive remarks that raised questions about his ethical stance. All the more for this conflicting evaluation from scientific and ethical perspectives, the significance of the ELSI program he initiated—aiming to integrate ethical perspectives into genomic research—remains profound. His passing reminds us of the need to reaffirm this vision: ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge is inseparable from responsibility to society.

• doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.05.006

Support for This Research

This research was conducted with support from the following organization:

1. The Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education

Glossary

※1）Human Genome Project
An international research project aimed at determining the complete DNA base sequence of the human genome. The project began in 1990, and its completion was declared in 2003. Dr. James Watson played a central role in this project.