Dr Sean C. McConnell provides an introduction to gene editing, and Scott J. Schweikart discusses what prudent governance requires.

Dr Andrew P. Smith joins Ethics Talk to discuss his article, coauthored with Dr Hasah Alheneidi: “The Internet and Loneliness.”

Large precision health initiatives like the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us campaign raise important ethical questions about consent, privacy, and inclusivity. This month on Ethics Talk, we explore with Dr Katie Johansen Taber and Ysabel Duron strategies for protecting participants and ensuring that diverse communities are represented.

Dr Olivia Kates talks about appropriate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Vish Viswanath talks about countering COVID-19 health misinformation spread over the internet and social media.

Dr Vish Viswanath talks about the digital spread of health misinformation and falsehoods during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The risks of misinformation being spread through online patient forums can be mitigated by communication strategies aimed at physicians and organizations.

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing requires that physicians share decision making with patients, not order unnecessary tests or interventions, and refer to genetic specialists when necessary.

Mandatory genetic testing of health care professionals could help structure health care organizations’ responses to a pandemic. Patients and more susceptible employees can benefit, and these benefits must be weighed against concerns about fairness, autonomy, genetic privacy, and potential loss of employment opportunities.

Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 raises concerns about equitable access to therapies that could limit research participation by minority group members. These concerns can be addressed through public education, transparency, and stakeholder partnerships.