Genomics: the Power and the Promise

Abstract

It has been 25 years since the Human Genome Project began. After 13 years of an unprecedented multi-group effort, rigorous scientific work, and technological progress, along with great vision and leadership, the Project achieved its goal: sequencing the three billion base pairs in the human genome. This effort and subsequent genomics initiatives have resulted in a significant advancement in our knowledge of biology, technology development, and a novel work system to conduct science by intensive collaboration of multiple experts in different disciplines located around the world. To celebrate this anniversary, Eric Green, James Watson, and Francis Collins shared some of the lessons learned from such an ambitious initiative that has transformed the way biomedical research is conducted today (Green et al. 2015). The results of this valuable experience provide a vast array of opportunities for scientific innovation to benefit humankind. Genomics has become a major driving force to generate new products and services that can contribute to alleviating global challenges affecting the world’s population. By harnessing scientific, technological, and industrial innovation initiatives, strengthened by public–private associations, genomics can contribute to health care, food sufficiency, alternative sources of energy, and care for the environment (Jimenez-Sanchez and Philp 2015). Although there is a long way to go before such innovations become a reality, the potential of genomics innovation offers powerful opportunities to increase social welfare, economic growth, and cultural enrichment. Progress in genomics innovation comes along with new challenges and potential risks that go beyond the strict boundaries of science. Its intimate relationship with humankind and society makes it implicit the need for timely and appropriate public policies that, while fostering genomics innovation, ensure a responsible development by regulating its ethical, environmental, economic, legal, and social implications. Examples of these include principles, guidelines, and best practices to define the nature of scientific evidence required to bring a medical innovation into the clinical practice, as well as criteria for their reimbursement, communication of DNA results to patients, appropriate use of technologies, as well as the use of genomics in commerce, agriculture, and exploitation of natural resources, among many others. Similar to other areas of product development for highvalue markets, competition in genomics innovation is becoming intensive around the world, particularly among the most developed countries (OECD 2009). Creative synergies between governments, academia, and industry have proven to be a successful strategy to increase effectiveness in bringing innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace, under regulatory frameworks that include public opinion and societal believes at their core. There are countries where the virtuous cycle of connecting ideas and people across sectors to find new uses for genomics, attracting sustained investment, and translating discoveries into applications has been successful. Without any doubt Canada is among the leaders.