The National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research Program was established as an integral part of the Human Genome Project (HGP) to foster basic and applied research on the ethical, legal, and social implications of of genetic and genomic research for individuals, families, and communities. The Southcentral Foundation's proposed project on the previously unexplored ethical and cultural implications for a well established specimen bank is within the scope of that mandate. The special relationship of the Indian Health Service with Tribes and Tribal organizations such as the Southcentral Foundation makes the NARCH an efficient mechanism for NHGRI's ELSI program to further its objectives in this area. The NARCH initiative supports parternships of American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) Tribes, Tribal organizations, or non-profit national or area Indian Health Boards, with institutions that conduct intensive academic-level biomedical and behavioral research. These parterships are called Native American Research Centers for Health.
