Today, Canada marks the major scientific discovery of DNA’s double helix structure, published in Nature by James Watson and Francis Crick in April 1953. The discovery – arguably one of the most important of the 20th century – answered a fundamental mystery about how living organisms pass genetic instructions from generation to generation, and eventually enabled later researchers to understand the genetic code. DNA Day also celebrates the April 2003 completion of the Human Genome Project, an international scientific research project allowing us to read nature’s complete genetic blueprint for creating a human being.
Canadian genomics researchers are building on these foundational discoveries and their advances are helping to solve complex biological challenges across sectors as diverse as health, agri-food, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, energy, mining and the environment. The results are saving lives and combating disease, improving food safety and production to feed the world’s growing population, defending our natural resources against the effects of climate change, and enabling us to mitigate environmental damage from resource extraction.
Moreover, genomics is equipping Canadian businesses with cutting-edge science and technologies that are driving economic growth, improving competitiveness, increasing productivity and creating high-quality jobs in Canada.
It has become a tradition to celebrate DNA Day via a day-long online forum hosted by Let’s Talk Science and Genome Alberta and featuring renown Canadian science broadcaster and author Jay Ingram, who also serves on Genome Canada’s Board of Directors. Students, teachers and the public can learn more about genetics and genomics from Canadian experts through live chat and video throughout the day.
Please visit letstalkdna.ca to view video welcome messages from the Hon. Ed Holder, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Pierre Meulien, President and CEO of Genome Canada, and more and join in the online chat. See the full schedule on the Let’s Talk DNA website.