Written and Committed: August 2020
Revised and Re-committed: February 2024
This Statement of Ethics was developed collaboratively to express the values and goals of our research group, These statements reflect shared attitudes and plans for actions that guide our work in the present and affirm future development. These commitments represent our views as individual researchers and as a research group, but do not speak for our home department, university, or any other institution or group.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
We commit to support and respect each individual in our community and reject bigotry,
discrimination, and hatred. We seek to develop a community of diverse perspectives and
voices where all members feel supported and engaged, which we believe is fundamental to
discuss and address scientific and societal problems that affect all of us.
Ethical Research:
We commit to conduct our research with honesty and integrity using careful and ethical
practices. We work to be mindful of the societal impacts of our research findings and actions as
we seek to expand scientific understanding. We will try to minimize the impact of our research
activities on climate and environmental disruption by reducing waste and energy use.
Recognition of Past and Present Misuse of Scientific Findings:
We commit to educating ourselves and others about the past and present misuses of genetics,
heredity, population biology, and evolution research to construct and advance biased agendas
against groups or individuals based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or disability, including,
but not limited to, eugenics, forced sterilization, and genocide. We reject any use of scientific
research and methods (including our own work) to promote agendas of bigotry, discrimination,
hatred, or violence.
Ongoing Development:
We commit to improve both our understanding and our actions by listening to the needs within
our community and society as a whole. We will discuss, refine, and recommit to these
commitments as we change and grow as individuals, as a lab community, and in relation to the
broader scientific and global communities. We welcome your thoughts on these statements, and
encourage you to form your own commitments for yourself or your research group.