Annual Report - 2005

Annual Report 2005, PDF Format, 928 KB Cat. Number: Iu195-2005E-PDF ISBN: 0-662-43834-5

INTRODUCTION

CBAC 2005

A Sustainable Future

Some Progress to Report

Facilitating Constructive Discussion

Inside the Future

This publication is available as well in alternative formats on request. Contact the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) at the coordinates listed below.

Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee
255 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5
Toll free: 1 866 748-CBAC (2222)
Phone: (613) 954-7059
Fax: (613) 946-2847
Website: http://cbac-cccb.ca
Email: info@cbac-cccb.ca

Permission to Reproduce
Except as otherwise specifically noted, the information in this publication may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from CBAC, provided that due diligence is exercised in ensuring that the information is reproduced accurately, that CBAC is identified as the source institution, and that the reproduction is not represented as an official version of the information reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, CBAC.

CBAC Annual Report 2005
© 2006, Government of Canada
(Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee).
All rights reserved.

Cat. No.: Iu195-2005
ISBN: 0-662-43834-5

INTRODUCTION

Message From The Chair

The year 2005 saw a number of accomplishments, notably the completion of a major report entitled Human Genetic Materials, Intellectual Property and the Health Sector, and the initiation of an in-depth study on Biotechnology, Sustainable Development and Canada’s Future Economy. The former investigation was referred to CBAC by the federal departments of Health and Industry; the latter was prompted by CBAC’s view that Canada must consider now how biotechnology can be used to advance its sustainable development objectives and develop the policy underpinnings that support our national objectives. In both cases, CBAC adopted an Expert Working Party (EWP) methodology due to the extent of technical expertise required in the consideration of these topics.

Our experience with these projects confirms that the unique nature of CBAC — its multidisciplinary membership and its independence — enable the Committee to act as a “meta-advisory body” that can synthesize and reconcile the streams of analysis and advice from a variety of sources in Canada and abroad.

The pace of biotechnology development globally is accelerating, raising new and complex public policy challenges that implicate science and technology policy, trade policy, agricultural policy, developing world issues and economic competitiveness. It is the intersection of these policy areas that benefit from independent analyses so government is equipped to guide the development and applications of biotechnologies in our society.

Government, alone, cannot seize the potential of biotechnology, nor can it singlehandedly manage the risks associated with developments in this field. Canada’s success requires the input and support of a broad cross-section of society, including other governments, the scientific community, nongovernmental organizations, industry, consumer groups and interested Canadians whose differing views, priorities and expertise collectively bring the necessary balance to the dialogue and ultimately to the policy instruments designed to maximize benefits and minimize risks.

In 2006, CBAC will initiate work to chart the course forward. A series of expert regional roundtables and focus group discussions will assist CBAC in advising government on ways to ensure that Canada’s biotechnology strategy is equipped to address the challenges and opportunities ahead.

I would like to thank the members of CBAC for their dedicated service and insights over the past year. On behalf of my colleagues, I also offer sincere thanks to the members of CBAC’s Expert Working Parties, who have volunteered their time and expertise to tackle these critical public policy topics.

Sincerely,

Dr. Arnold Naimark
Chair, CBAC

Who We Are

Our mandate, structure, and the ways we work make the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) unique among advisory bodies in Canada and abroad. Membership consists of experts drawn from diverse fields – science, medicine, agriculture, environment, industry, ethics, economics, and communications – and reflects the breadth of areas that biotechnology and its applications affect in our society. Members are appointed on the basis of individual attributes, not as representatives of particular interests. They are appointed by the Government of Canada’s Biotechnology Ministerial Coordinating Committee (BMCC). This group of seven Ministers – from Agriculture and Agri-Food, Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Health, Industry, International Trade and Natural Resources – oversees the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy. As well, their portfolios include a range of biotechnology-related priorities.

Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee Membership

CHAIR

Dr. Arnold Naimark
Director
Centre for the Advancement of Medicine
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Members^*

Ms. Gloria Bishop Communications Consultant (specializing in health care) Toronto, Ontario	Linda A. Lusby Professor, Environmental Science Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Dr. Prabhat D. (Pete) Desai President Desai and Desai Inc. Edmonton, Alberta	Dr. Mary Alton Mackey President Alton Mackey and Associates Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Barry Glickman Professor of Biology Centre for Biomedical Research University of Victoria Victoria, British Columbia	Ms. Anne Mitchell Executive Director Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Pavel Hamet Director of Research Chief, Gene Medicine Services Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Montréal, Québec	Dr. Peter W.B. Phillips Professor of Political Studies Director of the College of Biotechnology Associate Member, Department of Management and Marketing and Agricultural Economics University of Saskatchewan Regina, Saskatchewan
Dr. Lyne Létourneau Professor, Department of Animal Sciences Université Laval Québec, Québec	Dr. David Punter Professor, Department of Botany University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba

*CBAC members are appointed by the Biotechnology Ministerial Coordinating Committee on the basis of individual attributes, not as representatives of particular interests. All CBAC members serve on a volunteer basis.

The CBAC Chair receives a per diem (to a maximum number of days of work per year) commensurate with the demands of the position.

What We Do

CBAC provides the Government of Canada with comprehensive advice on current and emerging policy issues associated with the health, ethical, social, regulatory, economic, scientific and environmental aspects of biotechnology and its applications. This broad mandate reflects the reality of biotechnology, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the fact that it cuts across the lines of government departments and, increasingly, demands the integration of diverse perspectives to develop coherent policy.

Various activities are undertaken with a view to providing comprehensive and practical advice to the Government. Our agenda is developed in two ways: based on the policy gaps and emerging issues that members identify, given their expertise in particular fields; and, from direct referrals from federal departments and agencies seeking advice on specific issues.

CBAC also uses a variety of mechanisms to advise Ministers and to communicate to stakeholders and the public through comprehensive reports, brief written commentaries, participation in workshops and conferences, our website, meetings with policy-makers, and interviews with the media. CBAC’s advice to Government, our reports and background research are all public documents.

CBAC 2005

Human Genetic Materials, Intellectual Property and the Health Sector

Over half of Canada’s biotechnology companies focus on human health, pro