March 17, 2016, Ottawa, Ontario – The Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan, today launched a $2 million initiative designed to accelerate the translation of research results into practical applications in healthcare for the benefit of Canadians.

Genome Canada’s 2012 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition – Genomics and Personalized Health – funded 17 projects with the objective to demonstrate how genomics-based research could contribute to improve the cost-effectiveness of the health-care system.

Each project involves research from the perspective of the social sciences and humanities. Known as GE³LS research (Genomics and its Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal and Social aspects), this research is identifying ways to optimize the integration of genomics technology into the health care system.

Co-led by Drs. Christopher McCabe, of the University of Alberta, and François Rousseau, of Université Laval, the new Network brings together GE³LS researchers from all 17 projects to address overarching themes:

• research ethics review;
• health economics and health technology assessment;
• knowledge transfer and implementation in health systems for ‘omics technologies; and,
• intellectual property and commercialization.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support this exceptional Network, which is paving the way for personalized medicine to be integrated more fully into the health care system for the benefit of Canadians.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

“We are proud to support this new Network that will encourage synergies and sharing of expertise, methods and tools that will lead to improved outcomes and impacts on the health of Canadians.”
– Mr. Marc LePage, President and CEO, Genome Canada

“Through its Personalized Medicine program, in 2012 Genome Canada made one of the world’s largest investments in technology assessment, social science and humanities research on personalized medicine. Bringing these researchers together in a single network will help ensure Canada continues to be a world leader in this field.”
– Dr. Christopher McCabe, Capital Health Endowed Research Chair and co-leader of the new Genomics and Personalized Health GE³LS Network, University of Alberta

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Associated links

Genomics and Personalized Health GE³LS Network Backgrounder
Genomics and Personalized Health 17 projects Backgrounder
Precision Medicine Policy Network

Twitter: @ScienceMin; @GenomeCanada

Contacts

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Andrea Matyas
Director, Communications
Genome Canada
Office: 613-751-4460 x 231
Cell: 613-790-0106
amatyas@genomecanada.ca

About Genome Canada: www.genomecanada.ca

Genome Canada is a not-for-profit organization that acts as a catalyst for developing and applying genomics and genomic-based technologies, to create economic and social benefits for Canadians. Genome Canada connects ideas and people across public and private sectors to find new uses for genomics, invests in large-scale science and technology to fuel innovation, and translates discoveries into applications and solutions across key sectors of national importance, including health, agriculture, forestry, fisheries & aquaculture, energy, mining, and the environment.