Should you have questions regarding the following data use policies, please contact the CanPath Access Officer for further assistance.
Access Policy
The CanPath Access Policy has been developed and implemented to enable informed and efficient collaboration; encourage fair, timely and transparent access to CanPath Data and/or Biosamples for high-quality research; and ensure that CanPath Data and/or Biosamples are used scientifically and ethically. The Policy is implemented through approved CanPath access procedures.
Conflict of Interest Policy
In the CanPath Conflict of Interest Policy, it is outlined that all CanPath leaders, staff and contributors in the context of their roles related to CanPath scientific and operational activities may have existing or other potential conflicts that will require disclosure and recusal from certain decisions, proceedings, projects, or votes. If an individual is subject to policies and requirements or has pre-existing relationships that create a perceived or actual conflict with the CanPath scientific or operational needs, the CanPath Operations Committee has the right to reject or remove such individual from such role.
Guidelines for Biosample Access
All biosamples within the CanPath Biorepository represent a finite resource. It is the goal of CanPath to use these samples to the best of their potential and CanPath has developed Guidelines for Biosamples Access and review processes to help achieve this goal and support CanPath’s mission, vision and values.
Biosample Feasibility Review
All submitted biosample requests will undergo a Biosample Feasibility Review. The review evaluates both the request and the biorepository’s ability to fulfill it.
Intellectual Property Policy
The CanPath Intellectual Property Policy outlines the public nature of CanPath and how it aims to promote a wide and accessible distribution of knowledge through its resource. Therefore, Approved Users and their Institution agree not to make intellectual property claims on CanPath’s research data but may choose to obtain intellectual property rights on subsequent innovations and downstream discoveries arising from such data. In other words, Approved Users will only own the results of their research.
Publications Policy
Given the publicly funded nature of CanPath and the voluntary investment from participants, Approved Users for access to CanPath Research Data and/or Biosamples are encouraged to publish manuscripts in journals and/or online repositories, which allow for open access to benefit both the scientific community and the general population. The CanPath Publications Policy encourages scientific publication of all types while sustaining the highest quality (i.e., student theses reviewed by an evaluation committee). It also includes an appendix with guidance for acknowledgements in special cases, such as when using CanPath serology data and specific regions’ data.