Title: Expert opinion survey of genomics research and development initiatives at Health Canada

Authors: Ivy Moffat; Carole L. Yauk; Julie Bourdon-Lacombe; Andrew Atkinson

Addresses: Water and Air Quality Bureau, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada ' Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, 50 Colombine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada ' Water and Air Quality Bureau, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada ' Science Policy Directorate, Health Canada, 70 Colombine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada

Abstract: Genomics is proposed to improve predictive toxicology and regulatory decision making. The Government of Canada established the Genomics R&D Initiative to build genomics capacity to support regulatory and operational mandates. However, the full impact is yet to be realised. We undertook an opinion analysis using targeted survey results from the Canadian Government health genomic research and risk assessment experts on key impacts, capacities, challenges, needs and foresight in the area of genomics. The experts reported: 1) identification of a substance's hazard and mode of action is currently the greatest impact of genomics on regulatory science; 2) national and international collaboration is essential to building capacity and leveraging resources; 3) collaborative case studies, exchange programs, international validation exercises and Health Canada's Genomics Working Group as key exercises to overcome existing challenges to the application of genomics. These opinions provide a basis for selecting projects funding areas to maximise genomics impacts on regulatory decision making.

Keywords: genomics; human health; health risk assessment; expert opinion; surveys; impact; challenges; needs; applications; Health Canada; predictive toxicology; regulatory decision making; chemical hazards; chemical MOA; mode of action; collaboration; regulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2015.074800

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2015 Vol.14 No.1, pp.69 - 87

Received: 08 Dec 2014
Accepted: 02 Sep 2015

Published online: 19 Feb 2016 *

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