Livestock Genomics in Alberta: Economic, Environmental, Ethical, Legal and Social (GE 3LS) Implications
April 23, 2014
The Delta Calgary Airport Hotel
2001 Airport Road N.E., Calgary, AB
8:00: Welcome Breakfast
8:45: Opening Address: David Bailey, President and CEO, Genome Alberta
9:00: Panel discussion: The Social and Legal Implications of Livestock Genomics Technology
There are a wide range of social issues and perspectives arising from genomic technologies. As
this technology progresses, the need for communication between government, industry,
consumers, and other members of the public becomes increasingly important, as these groups,
and members within each of these groups, often have competing perspectives on
biotechnological developments. Some of the most significant social and legal/policy concerns
arising from livestock genomics technology will be discussed, as well as effective communication
strategies for addressing competing views on biotechnological developments.
Panel Chair: Ed Pajor, Professor of Animal Welfare, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Department of Production Animal Health
Panelists:
Michael Burgess, Professor and research Chair in Biomedical Ethics, W. Maurice Young
Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, and Department of
Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia
Karine Morin, Director, National GE3LS Program, Genome Canada
Ubaka Ogbogu, Assistant Professor, Faculties of Law and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical
Sciences, University of Alberta; Katz Research Fellow in Health Law and Science Policy
10:30: Coffee Break
10:45: Panel discussion: The Ethical Implications of Livestock Genomics Technology
Advances in livestock genomics raises certain ethical issues, such as animal welfare, which may
improve or decline depending on how genomics technology is implemented and regulated. While
genomics has the potential to produce healthier animals with increased resistance to disease and
stress, the implications of these characteristics in terms of livestock welfare and living conditions
need to be considered. These potentially competing concerns are some of the ethical issues that
will be discussed by this panel.
Panel Chair: Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein, Research scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada
Panelists:
Andrew Kernohan, Adjunct Professor, Dalhousie University, Department of Philosophy
Joe Stookey, Professor, Animal Behaviour, University of Saskatchewan
12:15: Lunch
1:15: Panel discussion: The Environmental Implications of Livestock Genomics Technology
There are many important environmental implications and uses of genomics technology. In the
livestock sector, the use of this technology for selective breeding could result in populations of
animals that process food more efficiently and produce less methane gas. The extent to which
these developments will impact land use to grow crops for feed, as well as greenhouse gas
emissions, are some of the environmental issues that will be addressed by this panel.
Panel Chair: Henry Janzen, Senior Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Panelists:
John Basarab, Senior Beef Research Scientist, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development;
Adjunct Professor, University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional
Science; Adjunct Professor, University of Manitoba
Carolyn Fitzsimmons, Beef Genomics Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada;
Assistant Professor, University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food &
Nutritional Science
Yuri Montanholi, Assistant Professor/Industry Research Chair, Beef Genomics, Dalhousie
University, Department of Plant and Animal Sciences; Adjunct Professor, University of
Guelph
2:45: Coffee Break
3:00: Panel discussion: The Economic Implications of Livestock Genomics Technology
There are many economic issues associated with developments in livestock genomics. Some of
these issues include the effect of this technology on the profitability of Alberta’s livestock sector,
the implications for trade in livestock products, the accessibility of genomics technology to small
scale breeders and ranchers, and consumer perceptions of genomics technologies in the livestock
industry. These are the type of economic implications of livestock genomics that will be discussed
and explored.
Panel Chair: Alison Van Eenennaam, Cooperative Extension Specialist, Animal Genomics and
Biotechnology, University of California - Davis
Panelists:
Henry An, Assistant Professor, Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University
of Alberta
Kajal Devani, Director of Breed Development, Canadian Angus Association
Ellen Goddard, Professor, Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of
Alberta
4:30: Closing remarks by David Bailey