Genetic Engineering and Society Center

"Ghost" variables are instances where variables like socially defined race are assumed to be biological and act as a proxy for a number of variables that affect microbiome research like red-lining or environmental racism. We continue this discussion by examining the executive summary of the NASEM Report "Using Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Research: A New Framework for an Evolving Field". This report provides multiple recommendations to replace the use of ghost variables with more appropriate descriptors. In this upcoming Journal Club, we will review the report's recommendations and how we can apply them in our own work.