Vancouver, BC - The federal government has announced a $10-million contribution to the BC Cancer Foundation to support ongoing research at the Genome Sequence Centre (GSC), in recognition of the late Dr. Michael Smith’s seminal work in genome research.
The measure was included in Budget 2001 and was announced on behalf of Minister of Finance Paul Martin by Minister of the Environment David Anderson and Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) Ronald J. Duhamel.
"This contribution builds on the legacy of Dr. Michael Smith and ensures that this important work will continue in Canada while providing opportunities for Canadians to undertake leading-edge, health-related research," said Minister Anderson.
The late Dr. Smith, founding director of the GSC, was awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1993.
"This gift is recognition of the legacy left by Dr. Smith and is an enormous injection of support to continue research at the Genome Sequence Centre at the BC Cancer Agency," said Mary McNeil, CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation. "This ensures Michael’s dream will live on and continue to put Canada on the research map. It’s one of Canada’s true success stories!"
Minister Duhamel said that the announcement was good news for the future of the B.C. economy: "The federal government is committed to supporting genome research, which is key to the advancement of biotechnology, a driving force in the new economy."
The contribution follows on the $160 million invested in Genome Canada through Budget 2000. Further, an additional investment of $140 million was made to the organization at the end of 2000-01.
Genomic science is the study of the genetic code in people, plants and all other living things. Research in this field is leading to major breakthroughs in the understanding of living organisms and, in respect of human health, will revolutionize the identification and treatment of diseases.
For more information, please contact:
Tim C. Hiltz
Manager, Marketing & Communication
BC Cancer Foundation
(604) 877-6158
thiltz@bccancer.bc.ca