Latest news with #MemorialUniversity
CBC
24-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Memorial University announces major budget cuts, 20 layoffs
Twenty permanent and contracted staff have been laid off from Memorial University, the school's president announced Thursday. A statement released by MUN president Jennifer Lokash said those employees have already been notified, and that career transition support is available. The university has also eliminated the operating budget for the Harris Centre, which served as a hub for research and public policy analysis in St. John's. It was also the home of the annual Newfoundland and Labrador Vital Signs report. While the operational funding is gone, Lokash stated grant-funded projects at the Harris Centre will continue until the end of each contract. The Office of Public Engagement in St. John's will close as well. Lokash wrote that the university is "facing challenges that necessitate new ways of thinking and bold action." The writing centre on the St. John's campus, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary, will merge its services with others within the Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. MUN says its budget, which was reduced by $20.85 million in base expenditure, also led them to cut any vacant permanent positions, and it will reduce contract teaching in coming years. "Achieving this significant and necessary reduction in expenses to align spending with revenue necessitates difficult decisions to ensure the long-term sustainability of our university," Lokash wrote. The president added in her statement that expenses related to travel and materials will be reduced, as will budgets for internal funding programs. A one-time payment of $3.9 million was allocated to fund as many as 363 additional course sections.
Canada Standard
11-07-2025
- Health
- Canada Standard
Gene-edited pigs may soon enter the Canadian market, but questions about their impact remain
The Canadian government is currently considering approving the entry of gene-edited pigs into the food system. Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, genetic changes can be created precisely and efficiently without introducing foreign genetic material. If approved, these pigs would be the first gene-edited food animals available for sale in Canadian markets. My research examines how including the public in decision-making around emerging applications of genomics can help mitigate potential harms. These pigs are resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a horrible and sometimes fatal disease that affects pigs worldwide. PRRS has significant economic, food security and animal welfare implications. Read more: What is gene editing and how could it shape our future? The United States Food and Drug Administration recently greenlit the commercial production of gene-edited pigs. Will the Canadian government follow suit? In 2016, Canada approved the first transgenic animal for human consumption - an Atlantic salmon called AquAdvantage salmon that contains DNA from other species of fish. This approval came more than 25 years after the genetically modified fish was created by scientists at Memorial University in Newfoundland. The approval and commercialization of AquAdvantage salmon faced strong public opposition on both sides of the border, including protests, supermarket boycotts and court battles. In 2024, the company that produced AquAdvantage salmon announced that it was shutting down its operations. Read more: The science and politics of genetically engineered salmon: 5 questions answered In 2012, the Canadian government approved the manufacture of a transgenic pig known by its trade name, EnviroPig. Created by scientists at the University of Guelph, EnviroPigs released less phosphorus than conventionally bred pigs. EnviroPig did not make it to market; the same year, the University of Guelph ended the EnviroPig project. Funding for the project had been suspended, in part because of consumer concerns. Some researchers argue that government regulation of gene-edited animals should be less restrictive than for transgenic techniques. Gene editing introduces genetic changes that can occur with conventional animal breeding that is not subject to regulation. Gene-edited crops in Canada are treated the same as conventionally bred crops. Others insist that stringent government regulation is necessary for gene editing to identify potential problems and ensure that laws keep up with industry and scientific ambition. Regulation plays a vital role in minimizing risk, encouraging public involvement and building trust. Social science research has, for decades, demonstrated that resistance to biotechnology is not because of the public's lack of knowledge, as is often argued by biotechnology proponents. Public resistance to biotechnology is better understood as a rejection of potential harms imposed by governments and industry without public input and consent. At present, little opportunity exists for public engagement in Canadian assessments of gene-edited animals. Similar to the U.S., Canada does not have specific gene technology regulation. Rather, the federal government relies on pre-existing environmental and food safety legislation. Canadian regulatory agencies use a risk, novelty and product-based approach to assess animal biotechnology. From a regulatory standpoint, distinctions between technical processes - like transgenic modification versus gene editing - are less important than the safety of the final product. The Canadian government has recently updated its federal environmental and health regulations. This includes introducing mandatory public consultations for animals (vertebrates, specifically) created using biotechnology. Even with these changes, there's still room for improvement. Public engagement is limited to consultations conducted within a short time frame. Interested parties are invited to provide scientific information about potential risks of animal biotechnology to human health or the environment, but comments that address ethical, moral, cultural or political concerns are not taken into consideration. More broadly, regulatory and academic debates about the gene editing of animals are largely informed by scientists and industry proponents with considerably less input from the public, Indigenous communities and social sciences and humanities researchers. From a social standpoint, the process by which gene editing is assessed matters as much as the safety of the final product. Inclusive public engagement is essential to ensure that the production of gene-edited food animals aligns with societal needs and values. Reactions to gene technologies are based on underlying values and beliefs, and sustained opportunities for public reflection and deliberation are vital for responsible innovation. Important questions should be addressed: Who will reap the benefits of gene-editing techniques? Who will bear the costs and harms? What are the potential implications, including hard-to-anticipate social and political changes? How should decision-making proceed to ensure that Canadians have sufficient opportunities for input? Currently, for the gene-edited pigs, members of the public can submit comments to the government until July 20, 2025. Public reactions to previous biotech food animals in Canada - including AquAdvantage salmon and the EnviroPig - show that lack of inclusive engagement can contribute to the rejection of animal biotechnology.
Canada News.Net
10-07-2025
- Health
- Canada News.Net
Gene-edited pigs may soon enter the Canadian market, but questions about their impact remain
The Canadian government is currently considering approving the entry of gene-edited pigs into the food system. Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, genetic changes can be created precisely and efficiently without introducing foreign genetic material. If approved, these pigs would be the first gene-edited food animals available for sale in Canadian markets. My research examines how including the public in decision-making around emerging applications of genomics can help mitigate potential harms. These pigs are resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a horrible and sometimes fatal disease that affects pigs worldwide. PRRS has significant economic, food security and animal welfare implications. Read more: What is gene editing and how could it shape our future? The United States Food and Drug Administration recently greenlit the commercial production of gene-edited pigs. Will the Canadian government follow suit? In 2016, Canada approved the first transgenic animal for human consumption - an Atlantic salmon called AquAdvantage salmon that contains DNA from other species of fish. This approval came more than 25 years after the genetically modified fish was created by scientists at Memorial University in Newfoundland. The approval and commercialization of AquAdvantage salmon faced strong public opposition on both sides of the border, including protests, supermarket boycotts and court battles. In 2024, the company that produced AquAdvantage salmon announced that it was shutting down its operations. Read more: The science and politics of genetically engineered salmon: 5 questions answered In 2012, the Canadian government approved the manufacture of a transgenic pig known by its trade name, EnviroPig. Created by scientists at the University of Guelph, EnviroPigs released less phosphorus than conventionally bred pigs. EnviroPig did not make it to market; the same year, the University of Guelph ended the EnviroPig project. Funding for the project had been suspended, in part because of consumer concerns. Some researchers argue that government regulation of gene-edited animals should be less restrictive than for transgenic techniques. Gene editing introduces genetic changes that can occur with conventional animal breeding that is not subject to regulation. Gene-edited crops in Canada are treated the same as conventionally bred crops. Others insist that stringent government regulation is necessary for gene editing to identify potential problems and ensure that laws keep up with industry and scientific ambition. Regulation plays a vital role in minimizing risk, encouraging public involvement and building trust. Social science research has, for decades, demonstrated that resistance to biotechnology is not because of the public's lack of knowledge, as is often argued by biotechnology proponents. Public resistance to biotechnology is better understood as a rejection of potential harms imposed by governments and industry without public input and consent. At present, little opportunity exists for public engagement in Canadian assessments of gene-edited animals. Similar to the U.S., Canada does not have specific gene technology regulation. Rather, the federal government relies on pre-existing environmental and food safety legislation. Canadian regulatory agencies use a risk, novelty and product-based approach to assess animal biotechnology. From a regulatory standpoint, distinctions between technical processes - like transgenic modification versus gene editing - are less important than the safety of the final product. The Canadian government has recently updated its federal environmental and health regulations. This includes introducing mandatory public consultations for animals (vertebrates, specifically) created using biotechnology. Even with these changes, there's still room for improvement. Public engagement is limited to consultations conducted within a short time frame. Interested parties are invited to provide scientific information about potential risks of animal biotechnology to human health or the environment, but comments that address ethical, moral, cultural or political concerns are not taken into consideration. More broadly, regulatory and academic debates about the gene editing of animals are largely informed by scientists and industry proponents with considerably less input from the public, Indigenous communities and social sciences and humanities researchers. From a social standpoint, the process by which gene editing is assessed matters as much as the safety of the final product. Inclusive public engagement is essential to ensure that the production of gene-edited food animals aligns with societal needs and values. Reactions to gene technologies are based on underlying values and beliefs, and sustained opportunities for public reflection and deliberation are vital for responsible innovation. Important questions should be addressed: Who will reap the benefits of gene-editing techniques? Who will bear the costs and harms? What are the potential implications, including hard-to-anticipate social and political changes? How should decision-making proceed to ensure that Canadians have sufficient opportunities for input? Currently, for the gene-edited pigs, members of the public can submit comments to the government until July 20, 2025. Public reactions to previous biotech food animals in Canada - including AquAdvantage salmon and the EnviroPig - show that lack of inclusive engagement can contribute to the rejection of animal biotechnology.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Facing budget crunch, Memorial University in N.L. gets advice from students and staff
The University Centre is seen on the campus of Memorial University, Friday, June 23, 2023 in St. John's, N.L. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld ST. JOHN'S — Students and staff at Newfoundland and Labrador's only university are suggesting how to lower costs and boost morale as the administration looks to cut millions in spending. Memorial University in St. John's, N.L., solicited the advice and published it on the school's website earlier this week. There are a range of suggestions including a proposal to open a school-run café, and another suggesting the university rent out facilities for events, meetings and film shoots. There are also suggestions urging officials to reduce or review its senior administration roles, and offer more courses and programs for professional credentials. Officials at the university say they are facing urgent financial pressures that require significant change. In December, the school said it would limit hiring due to a drop in enrolment and its latest budget document says it must reduce spending by more than $20 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025. The Canadian Press
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Court document detail how former teacher Markus Hicks preyed on young men
WARNING: This article contains details of sexual abuse and violence. An agreed statement of facts outlines the ways a former St. John's volleyball coach and teacher used dozens of social media accounts to lure young men to his home and sexually assault them. Markus Hicks, who is in his 30s, pled guilty to 54 charges in a St. John's courtroom on Monday. They include 13 counts of sexual assault, six counts of luring a child, using a disguise, possessing and accessing child pornography, sexual exploitation and breach of trust. In the agreed statement of facts between the Crown and Hicks' legal counsel, police began investigating Hicks in August 2023, when a man reported his son had accepted offers for oral sex from an account on Snapchat at the address of Hicks' home. A search warrant was executed on Aug. 31, which found several computers, phones and a curtain setup. The phones had 24 different social media accounts between them, all believed to be connected to Hicks, which were used to send and receive nude photos and videos from young men. Police also found an app on the devices that allowed the user to alter their voice and sound like a woman. With the help of the Integrated Internet Child Exploitation Unit, over 34,000 and 11,400 videos showing potential child sexual abuse were found across the devices. Two videos in particular that were recorded using Snapchat showed Hicks as the camera operator, the statement of fact said. Police were able to verify that some of the individuals in the videos were under 18 at the time they were taken. The people who came forward to speak with police about their experiences with Hicks can't be named due to a publication ban. However, many of them were students or individuals who trusted Hicks, who was in a position of power as a teacher, volleyball coach or referee. Many of the 17 testimonies in the agreed statement of facts first interacted with Hicks through a Snapchat account under the name 'Isabella Ricci', who told the men she was a 19-year-old student at Memorial University from Italy. The account often sent unsolicited nude photos while also frequently requesting them. When the young men interacting with the account questioned whether or not she was a real person, the account would send a picture of a woman holding a piece of paper with the victim's name on it. When one person questioned her identity further, the account sent a photo of Hicks and the woman sitting together. Hicks would tell the men he was her tutor, the statement of fact said. The woman in the photo also testified to police, telling them she met Hicks when he coached volleyball in Scotland. Hicks had asked her to send him a photo of her holding a blank piece of paper for a video project Hicks said he was working on, the woman said. Police found 23 photos from her Instagram account saved on phones connected to Hicks. Other names were also used on accounts connected to Hicks, like Corrine Smith and Brittany Campbell. The victims told police most sexual encounters started the same way, the statement said. The process involved parking away from Hicks' split-end home, coming through an unlocked door and receiving oral sex through a curtain hung over a doorway. Those who testified said hands could also be seen through the hole, and some returned multiple times. All victims said they had consented to sex with the woman they were messaging with — and not with Hicks. One instance showed Hicks used multiple accounts pretending to be different women at the same time to lure a 16-year-old boy to his home in Paradise. Police say there are as many as 35 complainants, who range in age from as young as 12 to adults at the time of the offences. Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
