Genome Canada
 In
1974, when NASA was looking for a partner to handle the "heavy
lifting" on its newly internationalized Space Transportation
System, Canada stepped forward. Several Canadian aerospace firms,
under the direction of the National Research Council, agreed to
design and construct the world's first remote manipulator system.
Eight years later, the $100 million Canadarm performed flawlessly
on the first of more than 50 Space Shuttle missions.
| Now, Canada is once-more putting its scientific ability
and entrepreneurial spirit to the test. In 2000, the country
launched a major, earth-bound effort to become a world leader
in the emerging fields of genomics and proteomics research.
Another impressive tool to get the job done was created: Genome
Canada, a non-profit scientific research corporation
of unprecedented depth and scope. |
 |
 Genome
Canada is now the primary funding and information resource
relating to genomics and proteomics research in Canada. Dedicated
to developing and implementing a national strategy in genomics and
proteomics research for the benefit of all Canadians, it has so
far received $375 million from the Government of Canada. Genome
Canada has established five Genome Centres across the country
(Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and British Columbia) and has,
as a main objective to ensure that Canada becomes a world leader
in genomics and proteomics research. Together with its five Genome
Centres and with other partners, Genome Canada
invests and manages large-scale research projects in key selected
areas such as agriculture, bioinformatics, environment, fisheries,
forestry, health and technology development. Genome Canada also
supports research projects aimed at studying and analyzing the ethical,
environmental, economic, legal and social issues related to genomics
research (GE3LS).
 Genomics
and proteomics research provides the basic understanding of our
genetic makeup and opens new opportunities for significant
progress in treating cancer and other diseases. It also
helps address the problems of pollution and environmental degradation,
and will lead to improvements in food production.
New drug therapies, improved diagnostics, personalized medicines,
healthier more nutritious foods, more bountiful crop yields, and
a cleaner environment are just some of the potential benefits deriving
from genomics and proteomics research, a science that is undoubtedly
transforming our lives in ways that today are still
unimaginable.
James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA's double helix 50 years
ago, once said, "We used to think our future was in
the stars. Now we know it is in our genes." He was right. Unlike
the Canadarm, Genome Canada's scientific journey will not lead us
outward to the stars, but inward to ourselves; not to cover great
distances but to uncover the smallest of details; not to explore
new worlds, but to discover the world that lies within us.
Genome Canada believes that is a journey worth taking. And it is
a journey worth leading.
Find out more about Genome Canada at
www.genomecanada.ca |
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