Valgen

Triage: VALGEN is applying a triage methodology to consolidate resources and set priorities. Triage considers known versus unknown theory and evidence and distinguishes between iterative and transformative research to identify gaps and redundancies in research. The specificity of the GE³LS issues under consideration also work to set the context during the triage process.

Models: Various models used in other research contexts will be adapted, tested and incorporated into new approaches to the governance of genomics in applied bioproducts and crops.  Alternative models must be responsive to the changing political, economic and socio-cultural context.

Methods: There are a number of emerging methods that can be used in combination with more widely used qualitative methods (such as focus group testing and case studies). Examples include Social Network Analysis as well as new experimental methods to assess social acceptability for particular innovations. Extension of these methods into new contexts will provide a stronger basis for inference and a higher level of statistical confidence.

Metrics: The current narrow set of metrics for the assessment of innovation and the resulting social and economic benefits from genomics research such as the number of publications, patents and spinoffs is incomplete and often misleading. Most of the critical processes, outcomes and impacts of innovation are uncharacterized and ignored. The methods and models that need to be developed and tested must ultimately be grounded in measures that better capture social causes and the effects of innovation.

Resources

CanadaGE3LS (http://www.canadage3ls.ca/), is a publicly-accessible database that contains information on Canadian-Funded Research Projects on Ethical, Economic, Environmental, Legal and Social Aspects of Genomics (GE³LS) in health, agricultural, fisheries, forestry and environmental sectors. At present, the database includes basic information on more than 160 GE³LS research projects funded in Canada since 2005. The purpose of CanadaGE3LS is to broadly disseminate information about past and ongoing GE³LS research projects, promote networking among researchers from different disciplines and facilitate knowledge transfer to several interested end-user groups, including policy-makers, practitioners, media and the general public.

Publications

Castle, D. 2010. Health Canada workshop: S&T Foresight Development in Health Canada. Foresight Workshop Series – Phase #1 (Dec 7-8) “Future Uncertainties – Potential Impacts” Identification and elaboration of future drivers and their impacts and input to future scenarios. Gatineau Quebec December 7-8, 2009.

Castle, D. 2010. Industrial biotechnology and the Place of ELSA Research Presentation at the Netherlands Genomics Initiative Centre for Society and Genomics conference: Ten Years After: Mapping the Societal Landscape of Genomics, Amsterdam May 27-8.

Castle, D. 2009. Genetic engineering for sustainable agriculture: Potential and risks. Going Beyond the Rhetoric: Metrics for Assessing Global Agriculture. Earth Institute, Columbia University. October 1.

Castle, D. and A. Mogyoros. 2010. Foresight Methods for Biofuels Governance. Presentation at the 14th ICABR Conference, Ravello, Italy, June 16-18.

Sachs, J. Remans, R., Smukler, S., Winowiecki, L., Andelman, SJ., Cassman, KG., Castle, D., DeFries, R., Denning, G., Fanzo, J., Jackson, LE., Leemans, R., Lehmann, J., Milder, JC., Naeem, S., Nziguheba, G., Palm, CA., Pingali, PL., Reganold, JP., Richter, DD., Scherr, SJ., Sircely, J., Sullivan, C., Tomich, TP., and PA Sanchez. (2010). “Monitoring the world’s agriculture.” Nature 466:558-560.