NHGRI researchers emphasize the need for diversity in genomics – National Human Genome Research Institute

Ten researchers from NHGRI, led by Vence Bonham, Jr., J.D., acting NHGRI deputy director, have published a commentary in the journal Human Genetics and Genomic Advances that details the need for diversity and a unifying anti-racist ethos in genomics research. The commentary, entitled Cultivating diversity as an ethos with an anti-racism approach in the scientific enterprise, was accompanied by an op-ed published in The Hill by Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D., NHGRI director. These two publications reflect many of the key tenets associated with NHGRIs recent establishment of a new Training, Diversity and Health Equity (TiDHE) Office.

The key point is that diversity is not an outcome, but a process, the authors of the paper write in the commentary. It is not a one-time step, but a progression of steps that are intentionally built into the fabric of a lab, team, department, academic institution, or company over time.

The ten commentary authors emphasize the importance of diversity across all facets of scientific research especially in the field of genomics, which grew out of genetics and its troubled history with racism and eugenics. The authors discuss the need to build diversity into the fabric of the organizational culture in order to create an environment where team members can openly discuss race and racism within their institution and in their lived experiences.

The commentary identifies three distinct approaches that the field should consider while building diversity as an ethos into its culture. The first is to value diversity beyond the numbers, meaning that institutions should examine and correct the underlying structural issues that result in exclusion and underrepresentation. The second is to avoid viewing diversity as a favor to underrepresented groups; instead, it must be viewed as what it is a benefit to scientific enterprise. Third, there is a need to challenge institutional norms and to correct the structures that undervalue the work of minoritized scientists.

Rather than providing a step-by-step guide for how to challenge structural racism in scientific institutions, the commentary encourages those involved in the research community to begin by interrogating their own views and the norms they follow. We do not provide how-to guidelines in this commentary, the authors write. Instead, our recommendation is to start by intensifying the need for continuous reflection.

Dr. Greens The Hill op-ed reiterated many of the points made in the commentary. It publicly announced NHGRIs commitment to working towards a truly anti-racist environment and acknowledged that such ongoing efforts will undoubtedly involve discomfort, as even those who consider themselves allies will need to confront their own underlying prejudices.

These two publications greatly informed the formation of the new NHGRI TiDHE Office. Mr. Bonham is currently serving as the interim director of this office, with plans to identify a permanent director in Spring 2022. The TiDHE Office will work across all parts of NHGRI to support and coordinate training programs and workforce initiatives that increase and enhance opportunities for students and scientists underrepresented in biomedical research. It will also promote genomics research that addresses health disparities and improves minority health.

The TiDHE Office will also work across NIH and develop partnerships with outside organizations to further its goals of increasing and cultivating diversity and fostering health equity in genomics. For example, the TiDHE Office is currently working in partnership with many key stakeholders to begin implementing the NHGRI Action Agenda for Building a Diverse Genomics Workforce and has already hosted roundtables with private industry representatives to discuss these plans.

NHGRI is committed to cultivating diversity as an ethos and has established a concrete plan for addressing inequities within the organization and in the broader genomics community. Mr. Bonham has encouraged members of the genomics community to sign up to receive updates from the TiDHE Office.

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NHGRI researchers emphasize the need for diversity in genomics - National Human Genome Research Institute