Consortium seeking new financing to push science for warding off species extinction

Genomics and DNA bar coding offer the only realistic approach to avoiding mass extinction of species, says the leader of an international research initiative dedicated to identifying animal and plant species. Appearing at Genomics: The Power & The Promise conference in Ottawa this week, Dr Paul Hebert said genomics can be used to offset the ravages of human population growth, pesticide use and invasive species spread by trade globalization which are threatening to trigger the planet's sixth mass extinction.

Herbert — a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair holder and director of the Univ of Guelph's Biodiversity Institute of Ontario — says by identifying and storing DNA for all species on the planet, genomics and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be used in a targeted way to conduct rescue missions for animals and plants that would otherwise disappear.

"Increased biosurveillance is of limited use. GMOs are our only salvation," said Herbert, scientific director of the International Bar Code of Life (IBOL). "It doesn't take a lot of money for Canada to lead in this area of science."

For Canada's leadership of IBOL to continue, however, new financing must be secured to carry Canada's participation beyond 2015 when current funding expires.

"The Canadian side of the story needs refinancing although some other participating nations have received ongoing funding," said Herbert. "It's a wonderfully successful science program but operating support is a concern. Without it we can't fully utilize our facilities."

IBOL was last funded in 2010 by Genome Canada through its (now discontinued) International Consortium Initiatives program which has provided $23 million. That has been matched by Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation through a special Global Leadership Round In Genomics And Life Sciences held by the Ontario Research Fund.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation and Ontario also provided $25 million for two computational and sequencing facilities for IBOL and corporate partners have contributed approximately $10 million.

Hebert said he plans to apply for new funding under Genome Canada's natural resources-focused competition next year and discussions are underway with the Ontario government as well. IBOL has also benefitted from a $3-million anonymous donation that could be used as a match for other funding and to carry the organization through any rough financial periods.

"We are the lead node and provide support services for all our partner countries. Our technical services are world class," said Herbert. "There's no organization like our on this scale and Canada should be very proud of it."

Herbert is also pursing a longer-term goal of establishing a Canadian Biodiversity Agency to capitalize on Canada's strong scientific expertise in DNA bar coding.

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