Human Genetic Materials Electronic Resource Making Canada S Intellectual Property Regime Work For The Health Of Canadians Report Of The Expert Working Party On Human Genetic Materials Intellectual Property And The Health Sector

Our report describes particular aspects of Canada's intellectual property regime as they relate to human genetic material and discusses the issues and impacts of these aspects in three interconnected spheres of activity involved in making new HGM-based products and services available for in health care: research; development and commercialization; and health services.

From Research to Reality describes the stages involved in the approval and use of gene therapies in Canada, and examines challenges associated with regulatory oversight, manufacturing, access, and affordability, and identifies promising approaches to address them.

Few topics in the life sciences today provoke as much debate as the availability of patent protection on "genetic inventions". Some hold that protection is essential to encourage innovation and development of new products. Others argue that patents ...

In April 2001, the Prime Minister established the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Its mandate was to review medicare, engage Canadians in a national dialogue on its future, and make recommendations to enhance the system's quality and sustainability. The 47 recommendations in this report outline actions that must be taken in 10 critical areas, starting by renewing the foundations of medicare and considering Canada's role in improving health around the world.

Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially one of the most socially explosive developments of our time. This book presents a current assessment of this rapidly evolving field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening. Advantages of early genetic knowledge are balanced with issues associated with such knowledge: availability of treatment, privacy and discrimination, personal decision-making, public health objectives, cost, and more. Among the important issues covered: Quality control in genetic testing. Appropriate roles for public agencies, private health practitioners, and laboratories. Value-neutral education and counseling for persons considering testing. Use of test results in insurance, employment, and other settings.