Societal Impacts of Genomics
An integral aspect of all Genome Prairie projects is translating discovery into real-world applications to ensure maximum societal benefits and addressing concerns with education.
In agricultural research, for example, researchers work with grower associations to examine market viability, environmental effects and socio-economic impact issues surrounding the development of enhanced plants and seed crops with novel traits.
Knowledge Translation
Advancing social science knowledge and consequently playing a role in the transformation of research methods, policies, and public perceptions is one of the chief priorities of the Value Addition through Genomics and GE3LS* (VALGEN) project team. VALGEN is a multi-part program of information-sharing, research collaboration and mutual support to link research projects, researchers and end-users of GE³LS research.
VALGEN researchers are:
· Developing frameworks which help Canadians play a meaningful role in policy creation with respect to new agricultural products and technologies;
· Studying ways to regulate new technology and products that translate research into societal benefits quickly and safely;
· Facilitating interaction among genomics and society scholars and project scientists to help transform research discoveries into vital programs and products that have a maximum value for producers, industry and society;
· Providing tools and methods for the dissemination of knowledge derived from the study of legal, social, economic, environmental and ethical issues around genomics research.
Through VALGEN's efforts and Genome Prairie's public educational initiatives, we are engaging our communities and providing information about the benefits of genomics research.
*GE3LS: Genomics-related Ethical, Economic, Environmental, Legal and Social issues