Consortium Introduction
The Consortium conducts original research, serves students and faculty, and advances public dialogue and understanding on emerging issues at the intersection of science and society.
Office closed & working remotely -- The Consortium on Law and Values, along with most of the University of Minnesota, is shifting to remote work for all staff beginning March 16. We will still be online and responding to phone and email, but may be slightly delayed in responding to messages. Thanks for your understanding and please take care of yourselves!
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Health Law, Ethics & Policy
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Environment, Agriculture & Food
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Emerging Technologies
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Public Health & Biosecurity
Latest News
CIDRAP Proposes Strategic Approach to COVID-19 Testing
May 22, 2020
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) has published “Smart testing for COVID-19 virus and antibodies,” the third in a series of reports focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. The report includes a proposal for a smart testing framework and offers considerations for policy makers, public health agencies, hospital administrators, and the public. CIDRAP also recommends that the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) appoint a blue-ribbon panel of national experts by July 1, and that HHS review and evaluate the public health response of governments from around the globe in order to determine best practices for the U.S. response. CIDRAP is a Consortium member center. More information is available on the CIDRAP website here; view all CIDRAP reports on the COVID-19 pandemic here. Read a Star Tribune article about the report and other issues facing COVID-19 testing here.
Minnesota COVID Ethics Collaborative Develops Ethical Framework for Remdesivir Allocation
May 19, 2020
Remdesivir is the only drug found so far to potentially shorten recovery time from COVID-19. On May 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of this antiviral medication for patients with severe disease. The Minnesota Department of Health has worked with the Minnesota COVID Ethics Collaborative (MCEC) to create an ethical framework for distributing the state’s allocation of the drug. MCEC is co-led by Profs. Debra DeBruin and Susan M. Wolf. DeBruin is Interim Director of the Center for Bioethics, a Consortium member center, and Wolf is Chair of the Consortium. Read the “Ethical Framework for May 2020 Allocation of Remdesivir in the COVID-19 Pandemic” here. More information about the challenges of allocating remdesiver is available here.
New Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain Established With $35 Million Grant
May 14, 2020
The University of Minnesota has announced a $35 million grant from Minnesota Masonic Charities that will be used to create the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. This interdisciplinary institute will be led by the Medical School and College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), focusing on typical and disordered neurodevelopment from birth through adolescence. The institute will be co-directed by Drs. Michael Georgieff, Director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Development (a Consortium member), and Damien Fair, who will join the faculty in July from Oregon Health & Science University. More information is available here.
Announcing the Consortium’s 20th Member Center: Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative (SPARC)
May 8, 2020
The Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative (SPARC) is the Consortium’s newest member center, elected by vote of the current members. SPARC was established at the U in January 2019 as an innovation and research hub, and is led by Professors Amy Kircher, DrPH, and Katey Pelican, PhD, DVM. SPARC engages researchers across a wide range of disciplines for large-scale programs and grant proposals at the intersection of science and society. Find out more about SPARC here.