Abstract
Background: Discussion of the influence of money on bioethics research seems particularly salient in the context of research on the ethical, legal, and social implications
(ELSI) of human genomics, as this research may be financially supported by the ELSI Research Program. Empirical evidence regarding the funding of ELSI research and
where such research is disseminated, in relation to the specific topics of the research and methods used, can help to further discussions regarding the appropriate influence
of specific institutions and institutional contexts on ELSI and other bioethics research agendas. Methods: We reviewed 642 ELSI publications (appearing between 2003
and 2008) for reported sources of funding, forum for dissemination, empirical and nonempirical methods, and topics of investigation. Results: Most ELSI research is
independent of direct grant-based funding sources; 66% reported no such sources of funding. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is the most
dominant source of funding; 16% of publications acknowledged at least one source of NHGRI grant funding. Funding is acknowledged more frequently in empirical
than nonempirical publications and more frequently in publications in public health journals than in any other ELSI research dissemination forums. Dominant research
topics vary by publication forum and by reported funding. Conclusions: ELSI research is surprisingly independent of direct grant-based funding, yet correlations are
apparent between this type of funding and publication placement, topics addressed, and methods used, implying a not insignificant influence on ELSI research agenda
setting. However, given the relatively low percentage of publications acknowledging external grant-based funding, as well as other significant correlations between
publication placement and topics addressed, additional institutional contexts, perhaps related to professional advancement or valuation, may shape research agendas
in ways that potentially exceed the direct influences of grant-based funding in this area. In some cases, grant-based funding may actually counter other potentially
problematic institutional influences.