The importance of universal ethical standards in science

Long-standing ethical principles for genetics research help respect and protect research participants, and they are especially important for preventing harm to marginalized or vulnerable populations. Recent reports allege that several genetic studies conducted in China might not have secured individuals' consent for their participation freely and without coercion. These reports reinforce the need for ASHG to articulate expectations that scientists worldwide abide by universal ethical standards for biomedical research and to update our own policies and practices, including updating journal instructions to authors and expectations for content submitted to ASHG's Annual Meeting program.