The Government of Canada is investing $15 million over 5 years to create a Pan-Canadian Genome Library to provide a better way to share genomic data within the country.
Already a world-leader in the area, Canada contains many genomic laboratories and a high collective research capacity for genomic research. However, the country has previously lacked a strategy for the capturing, accessing, and storing of genomic data as well as a national database. The Genome Library will become Canada’s national centralized genomic data management system to address these gaps to optimize genomic medicine’s potential.
Genomics is the study of all of a person’s or population’s genes, and is useful for more personalized treatment of disease, especially rare diseases. Genomic data can also be used to predict the likelihood of diseases occurring and which individuals or groups might be predisposed to certain diseases.
With the creation of a centralized database, health care professionals and researchers will be provided equitable access to data that reflects Canada’s diversity. The Genome Library, which includes strong Indigenous governance, has provisions for the respectful use of Indigenous genetic data that fully respects Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination over their health data.
“This investment in the Pan-Canadian Genome Library is an exciting step for our country as a leader in genomic research. Our government is proud to support this project and the cutting-edge research it will help—because when we invest in research, we are investing in better health outcomes for Canadians.” – The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health
The Genome Library will also provide users with data tools developed by Digital Research Alliance of Canada as well as standards and policies established by the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health. Investments from the Government of Canada through Genome Canada, and Canada’s national rare disease initiative All For One, have been used to generate the initial datasets which will be made available, with additional datasets to be provided by sources such as the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.
As the federally funded national platform for genome sequencing and analysis, CGEn will host the Genome Library. In Vancouver, the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer (Vancouver) is part of CGEn, which also includes sites at the McGill Genome Centre at McGill University in Montreal, and Toronto’s Centre for Applied Genomics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
“The Genome Library is an exciting example of the potential of large-scale shared data infrastructure and initiatives, and is paving the path for a future where we can work together to resolve complex data-related challenges to the benefit of researchers and all Canadians.” – George Ross, CEO, Digital Research Alliance of Canada
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