What if your doctor could really see you? Not just the physical you, but the genetic you?
Genetic variation causes cancer, rare disease and hereditary illness. It can be linked to drastically different outcomes for two patients diagnosed with the same disease or receiving the same treatment.
The ability to sequence an entire human genome—now faster and less expensive than ever—has unlocked our ability to study and treat health issues based on this genetic variability.
With increasingly sophisticated AI technologies, we can now interpret and use the data generated by genome sequencing more quickly and effectively to understand our bodies and improve our health. But where do we get the data?
Canadian researchers and organizations from across sectors are coming together to generate it through the most ambitious human genome sequencing effort in Canadian history : 100,000 genomes sequenced in the next four years to drive precision health and Canada’s leadership in health innovation.
Right now, 12 foundational research projects are beginning to sequence human genomes across the country.
By design, these projects will collectively generate a large-scale genomic dataset representative of Canada’s population diversity—providing the feedstock for AI-powered innovation by Canadian academics and industry. The diversity of this data will also ensure the breakthroughs and solutions it enables benefit us all.
Each project has specific goals in mind for the data it generates, from giving more Canadians with rare disease a long-awaited diagnosis, to improving treatment for cardiovascular disease. This work will begin advancing precision health care immediately.
Just as importantly, the 100,000 genomes generated by the projects will be shared to a secure national databank, accessible to academic researchers and industry who will use it to tackle countless medical challenges and gain a clearer genetic picture of Canada’s population.
Countries have already embarked on large-scale human genome sequencing initiatives. It’s Canada’s turn.
At a pivotal moment for our country—with new and evolving needs to build our health security, economy and sovereignty—this sequencing initiative will help build Canada’s data sovereignty, delivering a secure, national data asset to fuel home-grown innovation.
Impact snapshot
Combating a range of rare and age-related neurological disorders, including targeted sequencing efforts for Indigenous populations
Speeding up rare-disease diagnosis and discovery, delivering new diagnoses for thousands of Canadian families within four years
Improving stroke prevention, risk assessment and precision diagnostic strategies for patients, targeting the fifth leading cause of death in Canada
Enhancing drug safety and effectiveness for children, expanding access to genomic data on their medication responses and adverse reactions for researchers and health regulatory agencies
Uncovering the mysteries of chronic diseases like hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and triple-negative breast cancer, which disproportionately affect Black Canadians
Enhancing health care and improving the odds for Canadians with a hereditary cancer risk by advancing genomics-based screening
Accelerating the detection of rare diseases in newborns to improve patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs related to rare disease diagnosis
Fast-tracking diagnosis and intervention for cardiovascular disease patients, with a focus on underserved Indigenous communities
Facilitating earlier and more effective diagnosis and treatment of childhood disorders and helping to minimize complications and enhance survival rates and quality of life
Shedding light on the genetic factors affecting children and youth with brain development conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders and acquired brain injuries
Enabling earlier intervention for children and youth experiencing mental health disorders by pinpointing genetic and environmental risk factors
Deciphering the genetic story of Manitoba and Saskatchewan's populations to boost health-care efficiency, cut costs and enhance patient outcomes in the Prairies
The Canadian Precision Health Initiative is a true Team Canada effort uniting visionary scientists and leaders from across sectors on a shared mission to redefine health care for our country. Learn more about the initiative.