MORGEN & data release policies: an overview.

• Author: Power, Cheryl
• Position: Canada

1. Abstract

   In this paper I preliminarily examine Genome Canada's data release policy, (1) and patenting as a form of data release. Through a summary of several interesting case studies, I illustrate a sample of data release approaches that are currently in use by various consortia. I note that Genome Canada through their policy continues to try and strike a balance between the values of science and commercialization. For instance, data release policies in general have different impacts, one being the active free flow of scientific information. As well, there are a range of concerns about publicly disclosing such information and how effective these measures actually are when we think about long term goals surrounding translation and commercialization.

2. Introduction

   The MORGEN (2) G[E.sup.3]LS team is looking at the implications of data release policies in general, as well as specifically upon the products of genomic research, for the MORGEN project. The MORGEN project includes a study of the regulation of gene expression and how it specifies organogenesis, through studying development of the heart, liver and pancreas in the mouse embryo. This project follows on a previous project, the Mouse Atlas of Gene Expression, that deposited research results to a website. (3) Many such policies have emphasized the need for specific tailoring of data release for areas such as gene expression analysis. The Genome Canada data release policy specifically applicable to the MORGEN project notes a range of potential avenues for data release including: publishing; patents; researcher's publicly and freely accessible sources (website); data archives; open...