Cornell's commitment to genomics research includes a capacity building effort in the social and ethical aspects of genomics. New issues generate controversy, and problems are intellectually challenging, theoretically interesting, important, and visible.

"Scientific and technological progress have long challenged societal institutions to sustain humanistic and environmental values, even as they enhanced the quality of human life. I believe that universities have a special capacity to help students to be open to these challenges, to appreciate their complexity, and to engage them with all of the scientific, social scientific, and humanistic resources we can muster."

Jeffrey Lehman, inaugural address, 17 Oct 2003