Health Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada
Skip to content | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Home > Science & Research > Reports & Publications > About Science and Research

Institutional links

Science and Research

2006 Health Canada Science Forum - Keeping Our "I"s on the Future

Ottawa, Ontario
October 30 - 31, 2006

Table of Contents

Day 1

Day 2

Day 1

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Hélène Goulet, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Health Products and Food Branch and Chair, Health Canada Science Forum

Hélène Goulet, welcomed participants and remarked that science can play a key role in addressing the numerous challenges arising in the milieu of health, including demographic changes, environmental threats, and globalization. "The question is how we conduct the science," Ms. Goulet stressed, adding that strategic partnerships represent one important method.

She reviewed the theme of this year's Forum and remarked on its relevance to the many challenges and opportunities confronting Health Canada and its partners in the health community.

Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest, Chief ScientistAddress by the Chief Scientist

Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest, Chief Scientist, Health Canada

Dr. Forest, identified three essential elements in the department's work: a passion for science; maintaining the work's relevance; and moral and ethical issues.

"Few people are drawn to science for fame and fortune," said Dr. Forest. "This is a good thing." He spoke of the passion for science that researchers can experience when they work independently. The experience is even more powerful, he suggested, when a community of scientists works together. At Health Canada, there is a phenomenal amount of talent. In addition, science is present in everyday life. "But how scientists work remains a mystery to most people," he said, adding that Health Canada must begin to communicate better with the public.

The next generation will benefit from public science, with such developments as new gene therapies, nanotechnology, and proteomics research. Federal scientific activities will be vital. He stressed the importance of good timing for research and policy-making and the importance of basing policy on science rather than on popular beliefs: "Myths have no place in public policy," he said. Public science also requires leadership and partnerships, he added. "It's not the responsibility of any one group of scientists."

Other challenges for Health Canada include the pressures of publication and revenue generation and the political element. "Scientific knowledge itself," said Dr. Forest, "is politically vulnerable." He noted that Cornell University has established a task force to determine how to separate knowledge from ideology.

There are also moral and ethical challenges facing Health Canada, given the rapid pace of social, scientific and technological change. One must consider the social contract between professionals and the public and the need to minimize risks to the public.

In conclusion, Dr. Forest referred to the four themes of the symposium: innovation, information, integration, and international. The first, innovation, holds the promise of preventing and reducing illness and death, and Health Canada must find new ways of rewarding innovation. In the area of information, the department must be able to craft clear messages to decision-makers. There must be integration between sectors, between specialists, and between countries. Finally, Health Canada must continue to work on international health dossiers. "We have much to contribute," he concluded, "to efforts to improve global health."

Susan Fletcher, Head of the Workplace Charitable Campaign and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, made an appeal to all Health Canada employees to contribute to the campaign. She stressed the convenience of giving through payroll deductions. Many different groups supported by the campaign benefit enormously; it is sometimes a question of life and death. "The community couldn't function without us," she affirmed.

Plenary Session: Information

Cybercartography: A New Form of Information Management, Analysis, and Presentation

Dr. D.R. Fraser Taylor, Distinguished Research Professor and Director of the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre, Carleton University.

Dr. Taylor presented the model of cybercartography as a new paradigm for mapping and navigating the vast amount of information available to us.

Cybercartography provides a method of organizing, presenting, analyzing, and communicating information in a spatially referenced form. It is a multimedia, multisensory, interactive tool created by interdisciplinary teams. Cybercartography has many possible applications, including in the health field.

Dr. Taylor spoke of the present times as the "Digital Dark Ages," saying that information technology has given people a false sense of security regarding the storage of information on the internet. In fact, the 20th century has seen an unprecedented loss of information, amounting to 90% of data.

Dr. Taylor and his colleagues are currently developing The Cybercartographic Atlas of Antarctica and The Cybercartographic Atlas of Canada's Trade with the World.
A cartographic atlas of health could provide the solution to such problems of documentation and archiving of health data, as well as data analysis and mapping. It has the potential to be a "portal for mass communication and interaction on health issues." With its ability to be continually updated, it could become a "living knowledge repository."

Asked why a cybercartographic atlas for health is not being developed, Dr. Taylor replied that such a project requires several elements: available information, adequate resources, the interaction of scientists and professionals in various fields, will, and imagination. "We have to come out of our box and interact with others," he asserted. He proposed a blueprint for how such an Atlas could be developed.

Tobacco Paradox: Is There Ever Too Much Evidence?

Dr. Murray Kaiserman, Tobacco Control Programme, Healthy Environment and Consumer Safety Branch

Dr. Kaiserman demonstrated the considerable scope and depth of public health surveillance of tobacco use. The studies that he and his colleagues have undertaken have shown that tobacco policies are evidence-based and that the evaluation of interventions is ongoing.

Dr. Kaiserman remarked that there are many tobacco paradoxes, including the fact that smoking kills only half of users. Most significantly, people do not believe what they are told regarding health hazards. Although only 19% of Canadians smoke, there are 7.5 million former smokers.

Public health surveillance, according to Dr. Kaiserman, is defined as "the ongoing systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data." Historically, public health surveillance of tobacco use and tobacco control measures has focused on four areas: prevalence of smoking, the amount smoked, health impacts, and economic costs. Now, we need more detailed information to demonstrate that interventions are evidence-based.

Dr. Kaiserman presented the results of numerous studies on tobacco use, focusing on such topics as youth smoking, brand selection, accessibility, and sources of cigarettes. Results showed that smoking has declined since 1994, but that it is still more prevalent among young adults than among older adults, both in Canada and globally. In Canada, underage smoking is more prevalent in Quebec than in other provinces and territories. Nationally, cigarette consumption has decreased when the price of cigarettes has increased; at the same time, the popularity of discount brands of cigarettes has also increased. The fire risk among smokers, many of whom report having smoked in bed, is one concern. With increased smoking regulations in the workplace, smoke exposure has simply moved to building entrances and sidewalks. Smokers respond more to health warning messages expressed in pictures rather than in text.

Econometric modeling is a highly useful tool, according to Dr. Kaiserman. It shows that tobacco control policies are working and that they are doing so in a variety of ways. For example, as prices go up, smokers increasingly obtain their cigarettes from social sources rather than retail sources. Therefore, it is evident that retailer compliance actually does have a positive effect. Dr. Kaiserman also noted that it has been proven false that tobacco companies have, in recent years, been raising the amount of nicotine in their cigarettes.

In conclusion, Dr. Kaiserman identified some future activities for the Tobacco Control Programme, including harm reduction activities, modeling, business intelligence, capacity building, and improved dissemination of information. He stressed that a part of the motivation to conduct such research is simply the "fun" of generating the data: "We're here because we enjoy what we do."

Dr. Kaiserman was asked what current knowledge there is of the effects of radiation exposure in tobacco users. He responded that this topic has not been adequately explored and that it should be addressed in the future.

Return to Top of PageTop of Page

Distinguished Chief Scientist Guest Lecturer

"I" is for Imagination and Interdependence: Accelerating the Inevitable Transformation of the Health System in the Age of the Internet

Dr. Alejandro Jadad, Senior Scientist, Division of Clinical Decision-Making and Health Care, Toronto General Research Institute

Dr. Jadad called for a new vision for patient-centred health care and improved access to services. In particular, he stressed the need for greater use of technology.

Since the mid-20th century, there has been dramatic progress in health care. Now, however, with long wait times for health services and other problems, said Dr. Jadad, "we have reached a point at which we wonder if we are doing any good."

Dr. Jadad summarized the progress and problems of the last 50 years:

  • there have been great advances in the management of acute conditions through innovative interventions;
  • there are strong incentives for specialization and expensive procedures;
  • hospitals and physicians are at the center of the system;
  • budgets are based on production line models; and
  • there is little ability to handle public health issues or chronic conditions.

Dr. Jadad proposed that the medical community should focus on appropriate access to services and on decreasing the wait times for problem resolution. He proposed a model for health services based on internet technology. Instead of visiting a family physician with a suspected condition, patients could go to a local site where they would submit their symptoms electronically to a central work list. Digital images of visible symptoms could be transmitted, if appropriate. A physician would then diagnose the condition and refer the patient to a specialist or, alternatively, forward a prescription directly to the appropriate pharmacy. Such a system, affirmed Dr. Jadad, could eliminate 30 to 50% of appointments with health practitioners.

Hospitals should become places of last resort, added Dr. Jadad. They should be used only for:

  • major surgery or complex procedures;
  • major emergencies;
  • intensive care;
  • short-term management of acute conditions or exacerbations of chronic conditions; and
  • experimental interventions.

Dr. Jadad suggested that Health Canada should pursue patient-centred care, with patients seen as the most important group in the system.

He noted that young people have the potential to solve some of these problems because of their comfort with technology. "We need to try to figure out how we can harness what young kids have and know."

Dr. Jadad also called for a new definition of health, stating that the World Health Organization's definition, which refers to "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being," has not been amended since 1948. He proposed deleting the word complete.

Citing the extraordinary success and accuracy of the Wikipedia web site, which depends on volunteers, Dr. Jadad suggested that Health Canada should create a similar online health encyclopedia. He cited two community-created websites, the Breast Cancer Mailing List and OncoChat, which, like Wikipedia, are extremely accurate because of rapid self-correction.

Dr. Jadad concluded by declaring the importance of the next generation: "We must not disappoint them."

Plenary Session: International

Building Transdisciplinary Capacity to Respond to Global Health Challenges: The Health Care Sector and Beyond

Dr. Annalee Yassi, Professor of Health Promotion Research, University of British Columbia

Dr. Yassi spoke about the effects of globalization on health and the importance of a transdisciplinary approach to health promotion. She defined globalization as a process of closer interaction of human activities. A key factor affecting global health is the economic aspect.

Health care workers represent the largest workforce in the world and globalization affects them through:

  • New, ever more expensive technologies;
  • The rapid increase in knowledge acquisition;
  • The strain on health care resources;
  • Increased privatization and restructuring;
  • Job stress; and
  • The brain drain from less-developed to more-developed countries.

Dr. Yassi highlighted two Canadian projects. In the first, 65 overhead patient lifts were installed at a Vancouver hospital. The result was an 84% decrease in costs related to workplace injuries. The study led to the introduction of a provincial "no unsafe manual lift" policy, with funding provided for the installation of lifts throughout the province. The second project was to create the Workplace Health Indicator Tracking and Evaluation (WHITE) Database. The results of the project showed a huge decrease in injuries and lost time and a decrease in compensation and claims costs. The savings created by both projects far outweighed their costs.

On the international front, interdisciplinary and intercultural projects have been undertaken to address the determinants of health. The example presented was of a Canada-Latin America program to build the capacity to design, conduct, and evaluate community-based environmental health interventions. Community projects included one for the solar disinfection of water, an organic cultivation program, and a program to teach people how to prepare grant proposals. The project demonstrated a number of important elements:

  • Getting all stakeholders onside;
  • Recognizing interculturality;
  • Involving Canadian students;
  • Modeling interdisciplinarity, interculturality, and gender balance; and
  • Good local leadership.

Researchers used an "ecosystem" approach to human health, focusing on three pillars, transdisciplinarity, participation, and equity.

International Health and Science: Opportunities and Challenges

Nick Previsich, Acting Director, International Affairs Directorate, Health Policy Branch
Jennifer Rae, Senior Program Officer, International Affairs Directorate, Health Policy Branch

Mr. Nick Previsich gave an overview of the International Affairs Directorate (IAD) and the Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI)

In 2002-2003, IAD decided to undertake a consultation on international health in order to establish priorities and choose projects. The directorate conducted a series of surveys and interviews. Among the key findings was that what drives international activities is not formal mechanisms but rather an informal network, primarily of scientists. The majority of initiatives and agreements were ongoing, but there was very little formal policy development taking place.

In sum, the study demonstrated the need for:

  • Better defining Health Canada's roles and responsibilities;
  • Providing more information on the IAD's services;
  • Sharing expertise; and
  • Defining an international context.

Mr. Previsich said that, since 2003, there has been "an explosion" of international activities, including those related to the Security and Prosperity Partnership, the G8 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. "The health of Canadians is linked to events beyond our borders," he said.

Canada's international health activities are aimed at four goals:

  • Enhancing global health security;
  • Contributing to international development;
  • Developing and exchanging knowledge; and
  • Profiling Canadian values internationally.

Key players in the IAD's activities include Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Health Research, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, provinces and territories, and Canadian civil society.

Two important goals emerged from the 2002-2003 survey to help Canadians maintain and improve their health and enhance the health of people globally; and to develop a strategic framework. The key roles of the IAD in this respect are: leadership and coordination; strategic bilateral relationships; multilateral relationships; and regional initiatives. Upcoming policy challenges include global health governance and strategies for bilateral engagement.

Jennifer Rae presented details of the GHRI. This is a partnership among four departments: IDRC, Health Canada, CIDA, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The goals of the GHRI are to shape and respond to the global health research agenda, to improve health policy and outcomes, and to facilitate information sharing.

Some current programs include the Teasdale-Corti Global Health Research Partnership and HIV/AIDS clinical trials capacity building in Africa. Emerging projects include avian and pandemic influenza preparedness and African health systems research.

Ms. Rae added that the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research, launched in 2003, is a non-profit organization that coordinates global health research in Canada and leads training and capacity-building efforts.

Return to Top of PageTop of Page

Panel Discussion: Health Capacity: A New Perspective

Ian Potter, Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

Mr. Ian Potter presented a new model to measure health capacity. He began by discussing the existing definitions and models of health, all of which he considers unsatisfactory. Mr. Potter therefore proposed a new model in which health is "both a state and process of well-being" and which includes the notion of health capacity.

Health capacity has a number of characteristics:

  • It can be increased or decreased as a result of effort;
  • It exists at both a personal and societal level;
  • It is influenced by biological, social and economic factors;
  • It can be stored for future use or used immediately; and
  • Some elements are like a public good.

Using this model, factors that affect health capacity can be weighted to allow a quantitative evaluation of health. The measurement of health capacity takes into account both potential and kinetic health, both of which are produced through effort.

Mr. Potter displayed a number of graphs to illustrate how health capacity can be measured and cost factored in. Finally, he presented a new definition of health according to this model: "Health is the accrual of health capacity subject to cost."

Mr. Potter remarked that this is a conceptual framework and theoretical model in which health is defined as a process, not a state. It allows for the measurement of health and the evaluation of progress, as well as the development of policy.

Elizabeth Gyorfi-Dyke, Director, Canadian Population Health Initiative, Canadian Institute for Health Information

Ms. Gyorfi-Dyke outlined the activities of the Canadian Public Health Initiative (CPHI). Its mission is to foster a better understanding of the factors that affect the health of individuals and communities, and to contribute to the development of policies that reduce inequities and improve the health and well-being of Canadians.

Using a broad definition of health, the initiative is concerned with health outcomes of groups and individuals. It examines the multiple determinants of health, such as income and social status, social support networks, and physical environments. CPHI focuses on three strategic areas: healthy transitions to adulthood; place and health; and healthy weights.

In response to questions, Ms. Gyorfi-Dyke remarked that her organization is currently doing a good deal of work in the area of equity. Mr. Potter, for his part, suggested that the practical application of his model of health capacity requires some analysis and theoretical work, including finding the indicators that would populate the theory. In response to a question about similar work at Statistics Canada, Mr. Potter noted that the latter approach is somewhat different.

Day 2

Welcome from the Forum Chair

Forum Chair Hélène Goulet welcomed guests and introduced Dr. Arnold Naimark.

Dr. Arnold Naimark
Chair of Health Canada's Science Advisory Board

Dr. Naimark identified the Board's mandate, which is to advise the Minister of Health on the science carried out by Health Canada. He outlined the structure of the Board and introduced its members. He then presented the four main themes of the Board's activities:

  • Environment and health;
  • Therapeutics, diagnostics, and natural health products;
  • Public health; and
  • Science, emerging technologies, and innovation.

Plenary Session: Integration

The Rapidly Evolving Landscape of Health Research in the 21st Century

Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Dr. Bernstein outlined the mandate of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), which is to conduct health research and translate it into improved health for Canadians. Four broad areas are addressed: biomedical research; clinical research; health systems and services; and social, cultural, environmental and population health.

Dr. Bernstein demonstrated how the CIHR takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to health research. He suggested that integration and innovation together represent a single theme. "I believe," he said, "that those countries, those departments, those agencies, and those scientists that can do that the best will be the most successful."

Several studies undertaken by CIHR reflect this multidisciplinary approach. A study on childhood obesity, for example, recognizes not only the variety of components of the disease - environmental, genetic, physiological, metabolic, behavioural, and psychological - but also the need to move away from a discipline-based approach to a problem-based one.

Initiatives to study childhood pain and asthma take a similar interdisciplinary approach, bringing together people from across the country and from sectors which the research community would not traditionally engage. "We need to look at our body as a system," said Dr. Bernstein, "not just at the individual parts." Dr. Bernstein added that solving health problems do not end with the publication of journal articles; the research community must become involved beyond that stage.

Dr. Bernstein also spoke of the necessary shift from a curative approach in medicine to a preventive and personalized approach. Traditionally, medicine has consisted largely of describing disease, and aiming at (reactive) disease management. In the 21st century, improved diagnostic tools allow for a better understanding of molecular pathology, leading to increasingly proactive and preventive disease management.

"This is a very exciting time to be doing health research," concluded Dr. Bernstein, "and a very exciting moment in history."

Integration: A Prerequisite for Policy Relevant Evidence

Mary Bush, Director General, Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Health Products and Food Branch

Mary Bush introduced her presentation by stressing the importance of evidence. High-quality policy depends on high-quality information, she affirmed. Ms. Bush described how she and her colleagues have used integration in the development of the Canada Food Guide. She noted the contributions of nutritional science, behavioral science, and public opinion research from both Canadian and US scientists.

The Canada Food Guide is a policy tool designed to help Canadians make informed choices. It aims to promote health and well-being and to reduce disease. First developed in the 1940s, it has undergone many revisions, leading to the1992 version. A revised guide is currently being developed.

Ms. Bush spoke of the challenges encountered in developing the 1992 guide. One such challenge, related to integration, was that of finding a common language for researchers from different disciplines. Other challenges included: the synthesis of a range of science for each nutrient, developing functional indicators, and translating nutrient requirements into guidelines.

The work of developing the Canada Food Guide is largely one of statistical probability and risk-reduction. In creating the new version, Health Canada has put more emphasis on nutritional epidemiology. Researchers have examined chronic disease and multiple endpoints and have consulted US guidelines. Ms. Bush remarked on the "flurry of activity" around dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, and stressed the need to consider the food supply, local availability of products, the environment and demographics. Obesity is a "fundamental health issue," she stressed; it is important to include a behavioural science approach to look at eating patterns. Her team has also examined the effectiveness of past policies.

In conclusion, Ms. Bush stressed the importance of involving and integrating all disciplines from the start and improving communications among different disciplines.

During the question period, Dr. Taylor remarked that, although integration is "absolutely key," an important challenge is to find an effective process to achieve this integration and to identify the necessary tools as well as the barriers to integration. Among the first barriers, he said, are semantics and ontologies. He suggested using the industry model to "break down the silos" and get people out of their labs and into research clusters. Tools for integration will include new technologies, he noted, especially as used by the younger multitasking generation. The question, he concluded, is "how do we do it?"

Dr. Bernstein added that people will only come together around a common vision. Government and academic structures are more apt to provide disincentives to team work. He expressed agreement with Dr. Taylor and the previous day's speaker, Dr. Jadad, that youth are more open to new, integrated, and interdisciplinary approaches. "Young people get it," he affirmed.

Ms. Bush expressed her agreement with a third participant that much more synthesis is needed. Both she and Dr. Bernstein concluded that it is the process of integration that represents the greatest challenge.

Return to Top of PageTop of Page

Plenary Session: Innovation

From Nanotechnology to Synthetic Biology: What Is in Stock for Health Sciences and Research

Dr. Gregor Wolbring, University of Calgary

Dr. Wolbring spoke about the future of NBICS, an acronym standing for the following five technologies:

  • Nanoscience and nanotechnology;
  • Biotechnology and biomedicine;
  • Information technology;
  • Cognitive science (neuroengineering); and
  • Synthetic biology.

He addressed the notion of a transhumanist approach to ableism, defining ableism as a network of beliefs in which the standard of self and body is based on the perfect species-typical human. Transhumanism sees the human species in its current form as representing a comparatively early phase of development, rather than an end point. A new transhumanized form of ableism, said Dr. Wolbring, takes into account the increased ability of science and technology to improve the human body beyond species-typical boundaries.

There are already countless applications for NBICS. An NBCIS taxonomy presented in 2003 was already fairly long; by 2005, a much longer list already existed. In the US, the number of nanotechnology health care products promises to increase dramatically over the next ten years.

These developments provide many challenges. In particular, there are enormous policy implications and issues for both health and social safety. At present, there is very little discourse on NBICS regulation. Dr. Wolbring suggested that action should be taken swiftly to develop such regulations.

Dr. Wolbring provided many examples of NBICS products, for example, brain-machine interfaces, chips replacing the memory parts of the brain, bionic implants, neural and spinal cord prostheses, and stem cell technology. Other products include nanofood, nanonutraceuticals, and nanowater.

In developing regulations, numerous questions ought to be considered:

  • What is health?
  • Health for whom?
  • What would the gender perspective be?
  • How are disabled or Aboriginal people affected?
  • Can one draw a line between therapy and enhancement or between therapeutic and nontherapeutic enhancement?

New perceptions driven by NBICS would include a new transhumanist/enhancement model of health and of disability/ impairment, as well as changes in the concepts of the non-disabled person, disabled person and patient.

Dr. Wolbring predicts that enhancement medicine will become a growing field of medicine, providing remedies through surgery, pharmaceuticals, implants, and other means. He addressed the importance of human security, suggesting that among the different forms of security that we value, such as economic, food, health, environmental, and political security, we also need "self identity security" and "ability security."

He also presented some possible negative consequences of the transhumanist/enhancement model, such as discrimination on the basis of disability or poverty and the possible explosions of costs.

Dr. Wolbring concluded by calling for more ableism studies, including studies of the traditional disabled people, the technologically poor disabled, people who gain enhancements, other non-human targets for mobility modifications, new life forms and the traditional non-disabled people. He invited participants to read his Next link will take you to another Web site study on enhancement medicine (PDF version) at www.ihe.ca/documents/hta/HTA-FR23.pdf.

A participant inquired about the use of the term "nanotechnology," which is sometimes replaced by new terms. Dr. Wolbring responded that such terminology changes might be made in order to regulate or deregulate products. Regardless of such developments, he stressed, it is important to keep testing the technology.

From Lab to Practice: Research and Tools for Characterization of Microbe-Based Bioproducts and Monitoring their Release into the Environment

Dr. Vern Seligy, Research Scientist, Safe Environment Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch

Dr. Vern Seligy, Research Scientist, Safe Environment Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch

Dr. Seligy outlined some of the work done by his group (performed by himself and colleagues) on development and use of physical and molecular tools and assay methods to provide data to support safe use of microorganisms, and in particular to fill in data gaps for microorganisms already in use such as those of the Domestic Substance List under CEPA jurisdiction. Part of the presentation covered the use of biopesticides as research models. Further, he emphasized that his presentation would focus on the people involved who made the research possible. As background, he provided some information on early biotechnology research and identified the key roles of laboratory science to:

  • Provide independent, state of the art science and technology;
  • Exercise foresight; and
  • Produce and validate data.

He added that laboratory scientists do not have direct responsibility for evaluating products, but they do share in duty care and support of the mandate.

In the field of biotechnology, not much is known about bacterial diversity. Of the estimated 5 million species of prokaryotes, for instance, only several thousand have been officially classified of which a few hundred are well-understood, including a few used now in biotech applications.

Over the next decade there will be a dramatic increase in our knowledge about the benefits and risks of many more microbes as a result of human genome mapping efforts. There are approximately 100 trillion cells in the human body, connected by a sophisticated system of interactions involving the immune system. We are only just beginning to understand these interactions at the molecular level, including those of our several hundred kinds of micro-organisms. If a chemical is introduced into the body, we probably have fewer defences against it, said Dr. Seligy, than we would have against a bioproduct. However, the challenge today is that little data exist for establishing correct identity and safety of most micro-organisms. Such data are key for regulatory approval and successful large-scale use of micro-organisms in environmental and sustainable development applications.

Dr. Seligy went on to highlight his team's characterizations of biotech micro-organisms using biopesticides as reference models. These bioproducts are complex in function and contain many components which are derived from large-scale cultures of select strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (kurstaki and israelensis). Additional interest in them is to determine the extent of gene sharing with related biotech (DSL ) and clinical strains. Field work with product applicators enabled the team to gain insight into how the products were being used. In turn, the collaborators were provided with advanced methods, safety advice and training to characterize the complexity and to monitor the efficacy and fate of these bioproducts after release into the environment. The team benefited by gathering realistic exposure information for both workers and bystanders using non-invasive methods. These exposure estimates served as a guide to develop their in vitro and in vivo tests for other biotech organisms. The de tection methods involving genomics and immunologic tools have been used in an epidemiologic study which monitored exposures of migrant workers in the US. A key finding of the study was that the protein insecticidal ingredients of the bioproduct were not immune reactive compared to components derived from the dormant spores, which are also part of these bioproducts. Such responses would be consistent with exposures involving a transient activation of some spores, acting like a minor infection, which our immune system is capable of dealing with.

Dr. Seligy concluded by stressing the importance of putting together an effective research team, knowing what areas of research to prioritize based on stakeholder consultations with regulatory, policy and application experts, and the valuable support of his managers and funding provided by the Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology.

Awards Ceremonies

Excellence in Science Award Winners

Wendy Sexsmith, the Associate Chief Scientist, chaired the session and noted that the Excellence in Science Awards were established in 1998 to honour individuals deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the sciences relevant to the protection and promotion of health, including the social or behavioural sciences. Although the recipients have been recognised this past June by the Deputy Minister as part of his Awards Program during National Public Service Week, the Office of the Chief Scientist thought it befitting to also honour them at this Forum and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their exceptional work with a brief presentation. The winners are:

Dr. Carole Yauk - Genomic Changes in Response to Urban and Industrial Pollution

Dr. Pierre Band - From Medical Oncology to Epidemiology, A Personal Journey

Dr. Peter Delorme , Dr. Ian Nicholson, Mr. Greg Malis, Mr. Frank Wandelmaier and Ms. Line Pepin - Developing a Ranking for Pesticides' Potential to Contaminate Surface and Ground Water

Patent Award Winners

Dr. Arthur Carty, the National Science Advisor, chaired the session of the Patent Award winners and stated that he was proud, on behalf of Health Canada's Chief Scientist, to recognize for the first time Health Canada scientists who have been awarded patents for their inventions. Through their intellect and hard work, these inventors have contributed towards the advancement of science and technology in maintaining and improving the health and standard of living of Canadians. The winners are:

Lei Zhang, Assessment Officer, Metabolic and Musculoskeletal Drugs Division, Health Products and Food Branch - U.S. - Allergen of Disporium Herbarum

Renaud Vincent, Head, Growth and Development Section, Environment and Occupational Toxicology Division, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch - 1) U.S. - Respiratory Nose-Only Device and System for Laboratory Animals; 2) U.S. - Hydroxylation of Salicylic Acid Derivatives; 3) C.A. - Respiratory Nose-Only Device and System for Laboratory Animals

Josée Guenette, Professional Engineer, Inhalation Toxicology and Aerobiology Section, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch - 1) U.S. - Respiratory Nose-Only Device and System for Laboratory Animals; 2) C.A. - Respiratory Nose-Only Device and System for Laboratory Animals

Premkumari Kumarathasan, Research Scientist, Environment and Occupational Toxicology Division, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch - U.S. - Hydroxylation of Salicylic Acid Derivatives

Hari M. Vijay, Research Scientist, Inhalation Toxicology and Aerobiology Section, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch - U.S. - Allergen of Disporium Herbarum

Harold Rode, Chief, Pandemic Influenza Division, Viral Vaccines Division, Health Products and Food Branch - U.S. - Allergen of Disporium Herbarum

Donald S. Forsyth, Acting Chief, Food Research Division, Health Products and Food Branch - U.S. - Micro Extraction Technique

Saeed A. Qureshi, Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Products and Food Branch - 1) U.S. - Low Speed Precision Stirring/Mixing Device; 2) U.S. - Method and Apparatus for Reproducible Dissolution Testing of Pharmaceutical Products

Best Poster Award Winners

The winners of the Best Poster Awards were announced, as follows:

Innovation

Sabina Halappanavar, Environmental and Occupational Toxicology Division, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, for "Global Transcriptional Analysis of the Cardiovascular Effects of Mainstream Tobacco Smoke: Identification of Noval Biomarkers of Effect."

Integration

Karen McKendry, Contaminated Site Division, Health Impact Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, for "Human Exposure to Perchlorate in the Canadian Environment."

Information

Gu Zhou, Mutagenesis Section, Bureau of Environmental Health Research, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, for "Repair-Related Gene Knockdown Increases Tandem Repeat Mutations Induced by Toxicants in C3H 10T1/2 Murine Cell Line."

International

Trevor Stocki, Radiation Surveillance and Health Assessment Division, Radiation Protection Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, for "Monte Carlo Simulations of Semi-Infinite Radioactive Clouds of Ar-41 & Xe-133."

Student Award Winner

The winner of the Best Poster Award by a student was:

Anu Shukla, Microbial Research Division, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, for "Characterization of the Physical Properties of Murine Norovirus-1 (MNV-1)."

Closing Remarks

Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest, Chief Scientist, Health Canada

Dr. Forest closed the Forum by thanking all those who helped to organize it, including Hélène Goulet. He expressed three wishes for the future:

He wished for more recognition for Health Canada's scientific community, an indispensable part of the department. He stressed the need to build on what the community is already doing for the department and suggested that attention should be given to human resources, budgetary, science communications and policy issues.

He wished for more innovation, risk-taking and vision. Although civil servants are not usually encouraged to take risks, he encouraged participants to do so: "You are scientists and you must take risks."

Finally, he wished for more public support. Health Canada's scientists will not gain recognition or support for capacity-building if they don't have the public on their side, said Dr. Forest. To this end, he suggested, the public should be invited to this Forum in the future.

Date Modified: 2006-12-18

Top of Page
Important Notices