Message from the Chief GE³LS Officer

This year marks the halfway point of Genome Canada's National GE³LS Strategy 2008-2012 which aims to "continue promoting world-class GE³LS research, while also encouraging more systematic and dedicated efforts to translate research results into tangible benefits for researchers, policy-makers, technology users and the general public".

In terms of world-class research, this year saw the wrap up of four large-scale, stand-alone GE³LS projects from Competition III that have made a truly indelible mark both in Canada and internationally in terms of leadership and impact in the areas of biobanks, health services and global health. VALGEN, a large-scale GE³LS project funded as part of the ABC Competition, is off to a successful start and carving out new innovative methods for moving agricultural genomics from "laboratory to marketplace". The more recent launch of Competition 2010 will hopefully attract an exciting new generation of GE³LS applications related to forestry, the environment or other key sectors of Canada's economy.

With significant support by the regional Genome Centres, integrated GE³LS projects are increasingly demonstrating their importance and relevance to the success of the genomics research enterprise. The Application Guidelines and review criteria for integrated GE³LS in Competition 2010 have been significantly improved and clarified to encourage applications to come forward with even stronger integrated GE³LS plans. Recognizing that GE³LS integration is an evolving concept, various models for strengthening GE³LS integration are being explored by Genome Canada and will soon be published for further consideration and discussion among the research community.

Much of the effort spent on implementing the strategy to date has focused on enabling a more vibrant GE³LS network across Canada. To this end, the Genome Canada GE³LS website launched in June 2009 has been continually upgraded to help connect the dots in the GE³LS research community. Three issues of Impact – Genome Canada's new GE³LS e-newsletter – have been issued on fundamental themes of knowledge translation, integration and capacity-building. With the help of the McGill Centre for Genomics and Policy, the regional Genome Centres and CIHR's Institute of Genetics, the CanadaGE³LS research database and search engine now boasts over 162 GE³LS projects funded in Canada and its community of users continues to increase. A survey of new GE³LS researchers revealed many good ideas on how Genome Canada can continue to promote communication and networking opportunities in the future to appeal to the next generation of GE³LS researchers.

One of the biggest highlights of the National GE³LS strategy to date has been the resounding success of the GPS Series: "Where Genomics, Public Policy and Society Meet". This series aims to bridge the knowledge gap between GE³LS researchers and federal policy-makers. Three exciting events were held in Ottawa leading to the publication of three Policy Briefs on "Consent, Privacy and Research Biobanks"; "Revisiting Genetic Discrimination Issues in 2010: Is Canada on the Right Course?"; and "Online Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Implications of this New Business Model". The success of GPS is due in no small part to the tremendous partnerships we have forged through this unique initiative. Thanks go out to all of our colleagues at CIHR Institute of Genetics, CIHR Ethics Office, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Council of Canadian Academies, the Public Policy Forum, the Policy Research Initiative of Canada, Carleton University School of Public Policy and Administration, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada!

While implementation of the National GE³LS Strategy to date has gone well, there is still much work to be done. Ongoing evaluation will be critical for assessing results and helping guide future action. The process for implementing the National GE³LS strategy must also allow for continuous learning and be responsive to the evolving needs of the community. We invite you to use the various feedback mechanisms available to share your comments, opinions and suggestions with us. We hope to learn from your feedback, so that we may better adapt to current needs and improve the effectiveness of our efforts over time. Thank you for joining us on this important journey.

Patricia Kosseim
June 2010