The Canadian Program on Genomics and Global Health (CPGGH) sought to address the ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social issues stemming from advances in genomics and biotechnology. Among a number of different issues, the group focused on the growing divide in genomics/biotechnology healthcare between industrialized and emerging countries, as well as the practices and outcomes for using plant-derived vaccines. The project also focused on how genomics research is regulated and how genetic advancements might affect Canadians.

The researchers studied the healthcare sector of seven emerging countries with a nascent health biotechnology industry to understand the genomics/biotechnology healthcare divide.

Over the course of the Program, important insights into the genomics/biotechnology healthcare divide were gained and reported in a special supplement in the journal Nature Biotechnology (2002). The accumulated knowledge from this project has helped to shape genomics policies for national and international decision-makers, including the WHO and United Nations.

In addition, ethical guidelines for developing and disseminating plant-derived vaccines were developed that addressed environmental risks associated with genetically modified plant systems. Numerous peer-reviewed publications, a database on plant-derived vaccines and a research report analyzing the diffusion of plant-derived vaccines were also generated from this project. Of particular note was an influential provincial government report entitled Genetic Services in Ontario: Mapping the Future (2001).

During the course of the CPGGH, the project contributed to 178 presentations/lectures and more than 160 print articles. It developed important concepts influencing Canadian and international policy, identified new opportunities in emerging markets and raised public awareness regarding the uses and/or misuses of genomics in healthcare.