|
|
A group of satellite sessions that compliment the ABIC 2002 programs are offered to add even greater value to your ABIC 2002 experience! Four broad topics have been established for these satellite sessions:
1. The Canadian Regulatory Perspective: A Science-based Approach to Safety and Benefits
2. The Bio-based Economy: Moving from Concept to Reality
3. Biotech Communicators: The Interface Between Scientist and Public
4. CANCELLED Metabolic Profiling: From Functional Genomics to Genetic Engineering to Substantive Equivalence, Metabolic Profiling is Integral to Biotechnology Research
Make the most of your trip to Saskatoon and sign up for one or more of these exciting sessions. These are independent of ABIC 2002 and are hosted by various groups and may have nominal fees associated with attendance.
| 1.
The Canadian Regulatory Perspective: A Science-based Approach to Safety and Benefits September 15, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Lunch provided), Imperial Room, Centennial Auditorium and Convention Centre Hosted by Ag-West Bio Inc. Fee: $100.00 |
 |
Breakthroughs in genomics have led to a convergence of informatics and the life sciences. The practical outcome of this has been the development of novel bioproducts that offer benefits to the industrial, agricultural, medical, and environmental sectors. The Federal Regulatory Framework for Biotechnology is intended to ensure that the benefits of biotechnology products and processes are realized in a way that protects health, safety, and the environment. In addition to the Canadian Framework, Canada has international commitments under the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
This regulatory workshop will focus on Canada's regulatory system and how it adapts and responds to the latest developments in biotechnology and international challenges using a science-based approach to safety and benefits. More specifically it will:
• Describe high-priority issues for Canadian regulators and their multi-stakeholder consultations including interactions with international organizations• Define the latest recommendations of the independent Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee to the federal government on the regulation of genetically modified foods• Summarize the progress and impacts of the Biosafety Protocol on Canadian seed trade and markets• Characterize the Monsanto stewardship pledge regarding Roundup Ready wheat
• Review the current realities of identity preservation and the bulk commodity system
|
2.
The Bio-based Economy: |
 |
The bio-based economy uses renewable bio-resources and eco-efficient processes to develop sustainable bio-products, and create jobs. The global economy now depends largely on energy, chemicals, and materials derived from diminishing fossil carbon sources. In addition to fuels, petroleum yields synthetic chemicals for plastics, paints, dyes, adhesives, and a wide range of other products. These developments and their impact on economic growth and employment have transformed our society. But, this has come at a cost - massive pollution of air, water, and soil, as well as greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. Our present level of energy consumption, production, and industrial growth is not sustainable because it relies on continued withdrawals from the stored 'bank' of fossil carbon.
The world was not always dependent on petroleum. A traditional bio-based economy provides us with food, feed, fibre, and wood. Before the 1920s, many of our industrial products were also bio-products. Cheap and abundant oil changed that. Advances in technology, are making it economically viable and environmentally attractive to "go back to the future" and begin replacing petroleum with biomass derived mostly from plants.
Improved understanding of biodiversity, ecology, biology, and biotechnology are making it possible both to increase biomass productivity in forestry and agriculture and to utilize that biomass and waste organic materials in an efficient and sustainable manner. Advances in science and technology are making possible an economy where industrial development is not in opposition to environmental protection and quality of life. Getting there will be a major challenge, requiring effective tools to assess technology, processes and products for sustainability, and policies that encourage conservation as well as sustainable production and consumption.
This session focuses on key issues that will influence the evolution and commercialization of this technology in Canada. It will include:
Anticipating Business Climate Issues Business issues can either foster or impede the development of a bio-based economy in Canada. These include policies on taxation, investment attraction, regulation, standards for renewable content, human resources and skills, and government purchasing. International examples will highlight the importance of these issues and a practical approach to arriving at an optimum for Canada.
Technology Assessment and Roadmaping Choices made during the development of technologies, products, and processes, can influence the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the outcome. Achieving a sustainable bio-based economy requires robust decision-making tools. A review of work in the UK, Australia, and Canada in innovation, sustainability, and quality of life will be related to developments in Canada. A pilot project, in Prince Edward Island, will be discussed.
Bioprospecting We have just begun to realize the benefits that can be derived from biodiversity. Obscure plants, animals, and microorganisms could provide medicines, industrial raw materials, and also the means to catalyze reactions or clean up toxic wastes. Included are some efforts to identify useful biological starter materials as well as to develop a worldwide network of biological resource centres for secure storage of and access to samples for purposes of research and identification.
|
3.
Biotech Communicators:
The Interface Between Scientist and Public September 18, Full-day option: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Full-day includes lunch) or Half-day program from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Regal "A" Room, Centennial Auditorium and Convention Centre Hosted by Ag-West Bio Inc. Full-day Fee: $100.00 to ABIC registrants; $250.00 to other participants. Afternoon session only $100.00 |
|
The morning session includes the ABIC 2002 Wednesday morning plenary speaker Dr. Anatole Krattiger, and the Public Perception session which includes keynote speaker Professor Vivian Moses reporting on the "Educating the European Public about Biotechnology" project, Dr. Michael Jacobson addressing " Maximizing Benefits, Minimizing Risks," and Dr. Terry Medley talking about The Role of Regulation in Strengthening Public Trust.
The interactive afternoon program will present the concept of the "citizens' jury," an activity designed to provide the public with the appropriate level of background information to make informed decisions about complicated issues. This session brings together experts and communicators in many areas of biotechnology, allowing you to improve the effectiveness of your communications, share your experiences and concerns and cultivate new contacts.
|
4.
This session CANCELLED
The
Multiple Roles of Metabolic Profiling:
From Functional Genomics to Genetic Engineering to Substantive Equivalence, Metabolic Profiling is Integral to Biotechnology Research |
|
Why is genomics so important to biological research? Simply put, the differences among the genomes of organisms are what define that organism's biological qualities (i.e. disease susceptibility). It is important to understand that the differences within a species are at least as important as the differences between species. When expressed, genes encode proteins, which in turn become the machinery that is used to operate all cellular functions. Small molecules, collectively called metabolites, represent all of the catabolic and anabolic activities being performed by these proteins at any given time. Within species, SNP differences result in small changes in the activity as well as the level of expression of encoded proteins. The cascade effect begins with a modified genome, leading to modified proteins, and a change in concentration of metabolites. Any change in the phenotype will be manifested through an observed change in the metabolome.
The goal of agricultural research is to produce the most viable organism with the most advantageous traits. This can be done by either conventional breeding or by physically making changes to the genetic code through biotechnology. In either case, we are actively working to determine which genes are associated with desirable functions. We then hope to modify these genes to increase the desired trait. It must be noted that the function of a gene and the effect of its modification are NOT the same. Therefore we must know what the functional consequences of these manipulations are before we can be confident that they will have the desired effect.
This symposium will discuss the role of metabolic profiling in:
• Empirically determining gene function
• Empirically determining the effect of genetic engineering/plant breeding
• Evaluating the substantive equivalence of new GM products
ABIC
Foundation • Steering
Committee • Ag-West
Bio Inc.
Visit Saskatoon • Venues
• Site Map
