ERA-SAGE

Basic Information

Description

The field of genomics has an increasing impact on todays society. It is vital to conduct research on the ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) of this field in order to come to terms with this impact and increase awareness of genomics and its implications in the public. The ERA-NET CA project ERASAGE - European Research Area on Societal Aspects of Genomics- includes the important players in funding of ELSA research regarding Genomics, and emphasizes the importance of co-ordination and co-operation on the level of programme management. Scope Eight national funding agencies with specific funding allocated to the field of ELSA of genomics, (Netherlands, United Kingdom, Austria, Norway, Finland, Germany (2) and Canada), as well as three funding agencies with a specific interest in this field (Israel (2) and Switzerland) are joining forces in ERA-SAGE. The proposed ERA-NET network will be open for other European partners with developing ELSA programmes and will act as a learning platform for these funding agencies. Programmes to increase understanding of all aspects of genomics and biotechnology are critical. This process and experience could also be useful for and expandable to other new technologies. Objectives Today, the programmes in the partnering countries are very divergent and often small in scale. The partners have committed to an ambitious ERA-NET programme to achieve synergy and convergence, to enhance the quality and the quantity of this research and to move on to a durable multi-national strategic partnership. Work programme The partners identified four interdisciplinary domains to enhance the network with increasing levels of co-ordination: 1. Synergy building: information exchange 2. Needs assessment: define common strategic issues 3. Capacity building: implementation of joint activities and human resource management 4. Research building Special attention is given to the management of the network