“Integration” of ethical, economic, environmental, legal and social aspects within large-scale genomics projects (GE3LS) has been a formal funding requirement of Genome Canada since Competition III was launched in July 2004. Whereas other national ELS programs promote consideration of the ethical, legal and social implications of research, Genome Canada has innovated by adding Economic and Environmental dimensions – the “other two E’s” - to its GE3LS program to expand consideration of the broader risks and benefits of genomics innovations for society.
Integration of GE3LS-related disciplines into genomics research helps enable responsible applications of genomics science by anticipating and addressing, up front, the legitimate concerns, needs and expectations of stakeholders. GE3LS researchers work alongside their scientific peers to combine the knowledge, skills and capacity needed across the full spectrum of natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. These interdisciplinary teams are well poised to address the broader societal implications of genomics -- from its scientific discovery in the laboratory to its ultimate application in practice.
As examples, GE3LS researchers develop empirically-based policy frameworks to support the evolution of innovative, responsive and adaptable governance systems for genomics innovations; they design creative foresight models to prospectively assess and manage risks associated with new genomics technologies; they develop guidance tools and best practices necessary to facilitate responsible uptake of genomics innovations by technology end-users; and they design effective public engagement processes to ensure consideration of, and respect for, societal values to earn the trust and confidence needed for public acceptance.
The five-year evaluation of Genome Canada revealed that Genome Canada’s integrated GE3LS research strategy is envied internationally, and Canada is considered by some to be a “benchmark country” for GE3LS research. Here at home however, some GE3LS researchers do not believe their work is as well-integrated in the science as it could be, and some genomics scientists are not fully persuaded of the added value GE3LS brings. All concede, however, that when integrated GE3LS works, it works well.
In an effort to strengthen the GE3LS integration model, we have taken active steps here at Genome Canada to address some of the comments we heard in our recent evaluation.
For starters, we are giving integrated GE3LS projects greater visibility than they’ve had in the past. All integrated GE3LS research projects from Competition III and our ABC Competition are now summarized and posted on our new GE3LS website. This gives integration a “public face” and helps raise awareness of the important contribution integrated GE3LS can make to facilitate the success of genomics research and its translation into responsible, well-balanced, and sustainable applications, aligned with society’s needs, values and ultimate benefits.
Integrated GE3LS projects are now also included in our new GE3LS research database, “CANADA GE3LS” searchable by researcher, field, area of study or GE3LS-related issue. This new virtual tool is intended to assist genomics researchers identify which GE3LS researchers are working on issues related to their prospective projects, so as to encourage upstream formation of well-integrated teams. This tool can also assist connectivity within the GE3LS community itself, encouraging collaborations between researchers working in different GE3LS disciplines, and helping to identify up & coming GE3LS researchers who represent the promising future of GE3LS leadership in Canada.
As Genome Canada seeks to streamline its application and peer review processes in light of feedback received through its 5-year evaluation, we will continue to work with the Genome Centres, and look to the experiences of other funders -- both nationally and internationally -- to explore possible options for strengthening the GE3LS integration model and making it even more meaningful going forward.
Finally, as a demonstrable commitment to GE3LS Integration, we have made it the theme of our second issue of Impact. You will find in this issue feature stories highlighting the outcomes of some of the integrated GE3LS projects as they begin to wind down from Competition III. As well, we present a prospective view of what the “next generation” of GE3LS integration looks like through the eyes of the “VALGEN” team, as they prepare to launch the next large-scale GE3LS project awarded through our ABC Competition. We look forward to learning new insights from this living laboratory of “integration”.
We hope you enjoy this second issue of Impact, and would be most interested in receiving your feedback. Thank you for reading us!
Patricia Kosseim
Chief GE3LS Officer, Genome Canada