Harnessing Canada’s Potential in Genomics Research

We are in the midst of a genomics revolution. 

The speed and accessibility of genomic sequencing, coupled with advances in computational and data science, are cracking open a new, global era of rapid scientific discovery and innovation. This will have profound societal impacts on a broad range of areas, from human healthcare to climate change and more. 

The Acceleration of Genomics Research

Genomics research is at a vastly different place than it was 20 years ago when the Human Genome Project, a moonshot scientific endeavour that took a decade of unprecedented collaboration and $3 billion in investment, was launched. Today, we can accomplish the same feat—sequencing an entire human genome—in one lab, in less than a day, and for under CAD $1,000. Layered on top of this progress is the rise of big data and artificial intelligence, which allow us to analyze and apply sequencing data in ways unfathomable even five years ago. 

On the cusp of this new era, Canada has a unique opportunity to cement our position at the forefront of genomics innovation and deliver benefits and impacts to Canadians and the world. 

Our country has an outstanding reputation for world-class research. Over the last two decades, the Canadian ecosystem has benefited from consistent investments, strategic partnerships and collaborations, and significant scientific achievements. In British Columbia alone, Genome BC has managed over 1,200 collaborations in 42 countries, advanced more than 170 British Columbian-based companies, and generated 810 patent applications. Our work has also attracted over a billion dollars in co-investment to British Columbian researchers, which in turn has helped grow, entice and retain top talent in our province.

To drive research and innovation that impacts people’s lives, Canada must unlock the full potential of genomics research data. We can do this by finding ways to manage, store and analyze the data – leading to new insights and novel discoveries. Canada’s unique advantage is in the diversity of both our human population and our environment. This positions us to create more inclusive and representative datasets. Acting in these areas is crucial for our ability to benefit from the next era of genomics. 

Unlocking Genomic Data

Genomics is a data science. The volume, complexity, and diversity of the datasets associated with each genome are unprecedented. For example, a single human genome encompasses about three billion base pairs, and the genomes of plants can extend to up to 23 billion base pairs. This immense amount of data is compounded by the expanding scale of biobanks and libraries, which can hold millions of samples and are quickly growing.  

Major advancements in the field will come from our ability to derive value from existing samples and data. To reap the benefits borne from this activity, Canada must support strategic programming and investments that enable the large number of existing genomic samples to be sequenced. To yield meaningful findings, we must also bring together data scientists and genomics researchers. In British Columbia, we have seen a trend of computational scientists working with clinical and genomics research experts to interpret the data. As a result, the secondary use of genomics data has improved over the last decade. However, more resources are needed to foster such collaborations. 

Equally central is overcoming the obstacles of managing and storing data. This challenge is being confronted globally, yet some jurisdictions have more streamlined processes than others. In Canada, we need to focus our efforts on data governance, stewardship, and standards. This includes building our capacity in the data space, as well as working through barriers in our healthcare system with respect to privacy and the harmonization of data. 

To this end, Genome BC was the first organization in Canada to partner with protocols.io, a secure platform that supports centralized, secure storage and management of all research method content. International researchers are using the platform to record metadata through the documentation of methods and capture improvements and optimizations during experiments. This supports the transparency of research and the ability of other researchers to build upon established protocols. More initiatives like this are needed to enhance data access and sharing while also safeguarding the security, anonymity, and accountability of data. 

To be competitive in a rapidly advancing world, Canada also needs to improve overall scientific literacy. We should focus on educating the public on genomics and data. Both Genome BC and Genome Quebec have educational outreach programs that could be leveraged to enhance public fluency in genomics, allowing people to make informed decisions and actively participate in conversations about their data and its stewardship. 

Elevating Diverse Populations in Genomics Research 

There is a lack of diversity in existing sequenced data, particularly in genomic biobanks and libraries. Experts in the field estimate that almost 80% of genomic data worldwide is sourced from people of European descent. 

Given that a key area of genomics research is human health and specifically precision medicine, this lack of diversity leads to racial inequity and an inability to optimize the potential benefits of research for all. This was tragically underscored by the recent death of an Ontario doctor of South Asian descent, who was battling stage four colon cancer but died because of his treatment when he experienced an adverse reaction to a cancer drug. Even though the doctor was pre-screened for genetic variants with known adverse reactions to the drug, the pre-screening guidelines were based on studies using genomic databases that lacked genetic diversity.

Canada has a huge opportunity in this area. We are a country of people from across the globe with a very ethnically diverse population. The latest Canadian census recorded that our population includes more than 450 ethnic and cultural origins.

We need to establish a national research strategy that strengthens the diversity of our genomics data – and the resulting research, innovation, and impacts. Investing in a research strategy that enhances research protocols and incorporates diversity as a part of research funding calls is crucial—in the short-term and the long-term—so we can optimize the value of our data. This will provide tangible benefits to all Canadians and the global community. 

The research ecosystem in Canada is already taking steps to improve this diversity. One recent demonstration is the Northern Biobank Initiative, which is building a genomic biobank that contains the demographic and genetic makeup of people living in northern British Columbia, including northern First Nation communities. Similarly, the pan-Canadian Silent Genomes Project, which has been underway for several years, is reducing healthcare disparities and improving precision diagnosis for Indigenous children with genetic diseases. 

Preserving and Restoring Biodiversity

The benefits and impacts of genomics extend far beyond healthcare and include agriculture, forestry, mining, fisheries, aquaculture, and the environment. Genomics research is already changing the agricultural landscape in Canada. Investments in this transformative technology are helping farmers overcome pests and grow healthier, more productive crops and livestock while reducing environmental impacts.

Furthermore, genomics can help us determine genetic diversity within an environment and provide us with the tools and techniques to preserve and restore ecosystems. 

Canada has an opportunity to make an outsized contribution to biodiversity genomics research. We are fortunate to have one of the world’s largest land masses, coastlines and sources of fresh water. Our borders contain 28% of the world’s boreal forests, 24% of the world’s wetlands, and an estimated 80,000 wild species. 

Programs already underway to leverage this diversity include:

• The Canada BioGenome Project, which is sequencing the reference genomes of 400 Canadian species
• iTrackDNA, which is pushing the frontiers of environmental science by improving our ability to use environmental DNA for wildlife and ecosystem monitoring
• BIOSCAN Canada, which is making critical advancements in DNA barcoding. 

While these programs are capitalizing on the benefits of genomics for biodiversity preservation and restoration, much more is needed. As a country, we must increase our efforts in genomic biodiversity research and innovation. This entails more strategic, long-term investments as well as enhanced coordination with a cohesive presence and aligned vision. We also need to integrate Indigenous knowledge with Western science to maximize impact and enrich research and translation. 

The Economics of Genomics

Genomics research has built on 20 years of innovation and is now starting to accelerate at an incredible pace. The field is having a profound impact on our society and economy, and this is just the beginning. The scientific breakthroughs that genomics will drive over the next 10—let alone 50 years—will transform society in countless areas, from healthcare to food security to the environment.



The economic opportunity is extensive. Already, British Columbia has the strongest and fastest-growing life sciences sector in Canada, and early investments from Genome BC have helped propel companies like AbCellera, Precision NanoSystems, and Aspect Biosystems to substantial technical and commercial success. 

Supporting genomics research will stimulate economic growth at various levels, from employment opportunities to an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and tax revenues for all levels of government. The life science sector in British Columbia currently has more than 2,000 active companies, employing 20,000 British Columbians and generating $5.4 billion in annual revenue. Meanwhile, it is estimated that by 2026, Genome BC’s activities will have contributed $4.9 billion to British Columbia’s GDP and created over 51,000 jobs.

Entering an Era of Genomic Innovation and Discovery

As we enter this new era, Canada needs to seize the moment and our unique strengths to move the field forward. By making a commitment now to managing genomic data, enhancing diversity in research, and championing the use of genomics for biodiversity preservation, Canada can reap the rewards of a healthier population, a thriving environment, and a knowledge-based economy that extends far beyond our borders. 

By acting now, we can make this a historic chapter in Canada’s scientific legacy.