'What the Heck Is Genomics?'

'What the heck is genomics?' and 'Why should I care?' are just two questions that the Ontario Genomics Institute aims to address with its newly launched Web site, which it developed in an attempt to "demystify genetics and genomics and help the general public understand more about the study of genes and why research in this area is important." The site, www.whygenomics.ca, presents a digestible rationale for genomics research that explains how advances in the field could benefit human health, promote environmental sustainability, and improve agricultural production. "It also has an education section that … provides various resources for teachers, as well as the opportunity to request a visit from a genomics expert to speak to school classes," the institute says.