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Future of Duke's Genome Institute Up in the Air

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Duke University has completed a review of its Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy and school faculty and the administration are deliberating about the IGSP's future, a spokesperson for Duke told GenomeWeb Daily News today.

The statement from Duke's VP for Public Affairs and Government Relations Michael Schoenfeld came in response to questions about a recent item on a blog that the institute will be disbanded next year.

Duke Check first reported the potential closing of IGSP, citing an anonymous source.

Schoenfeld did not confirm or deny that IGSP could be shuttered, but told GWDN in an e-mail that the university conducts "regular and thorough reviews of its schools, departments, centers, and institutes to assess their current strengths and future opportunities.

"The review of the IGSP has been completed and the faculty and administration are deliberating a range of options to ensure that Duke continues to be a leader in genome research and its many applications to society. We expect to have a plan of action by spring 2014 ," Schoenfeld said.

The IGSP has maintained a high public profile in the genomics sphere in part by maintaining a stable of experts in genomics-related research and policy, such as Nita Farahany, a professor of law and philosophy, Robert Cook-Deegan, a research professor of genome ethics, law and policy, and Misha Angrist a professor of the practice and a genomics blogger.

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