Soliciting Ideas for Rebranding VA-Spec

[larrybabb]

There have been discussions over the past year or 3 about whether VA-Spec was the appropriate name for this product. VA-Spec is a core information model that support representation of evidence-based statements for computationally sharing scientific results, methods and the assertions that can be drawn from applying those methods. From the outset we have always presumed that the subject of those results and assertions would be "variants". The term Annotation may be useful in generalizing the idea of results, assertion and/or knowledge about various genomic subjects like variants, but it might be to basic to accurately represent the core im for knowledge and results around genetic concepts like variants.

So, before we go much further in formalizing this product we should determine if a better brand or name should be applied.

This discussion is looking for ideas on what that name or brand should be.

Please offer arguments in either direction for changing the name and/or provide proposals for a new brand name.

[korikuzma]

@larrybabb I gave ChatGPT a prompt to come up with names given "core information model that support representation of evidence-based statements for computationally sharing scientific results, methods and the assertions that can be drawn from applying those methods".

Acronyms Emphasizing Core Attributes

1. CAMEO (Core Assertion Model for Evidence and Observations)
2. FRAME (Framework for Representing Assertions and Methods of Evidence)
3. ASSERT (Assertion Sharing for Scientific Evidence, Results, and Truths)
4. ECHO (Evidence, Computation, and Hierarchical Observations)
5. TRACE (Transparency in Representation of Assertions and Computational Evidence)

Playful Acronyms

1. PINE (Provenance, Information, and Evidence)
2. BEAR (Building Evidence and Assertions Reliably)
3. LENS (Logical Evidence and Assertion Sharing)
4. LEAF (Logical Evidence and Assertions Framework)
5. SPROUT (Scientific Provenance and Representation Of Useful Truths)

I like BEAR simply because we could have a really cute logo.

[korikuzma]

Other acronyms for BEAR:

1. Basis for Evidence and Assertion Rules
2. Building Evidence and Assertions Repository
3. Building Evidence and Assertion Records

Tagging @mbrush for thoughts

[korikuzma]

Annotating and Building Evidence and Assertions Reliably (AnnoBEAR)

[brendanreardon]

What about simply "GKS Schema" or "GKS Annotation Schema"?

From the outset we have always presumed that the subject of those results and assertions would be "variants". The term Annotation may be useful in generalizing the idea of results, assertion and/or knowledge about various genomic subjects like variants, but it might be to basic to accurately represent the core im for knowledge and results around genetic concepts like variants.

I agree that there is no reason that the schema, as is, cannot be applied to other classes of biomarkers that aren't "variants" or "genomic"; e.g., immune marker status. Leaving "variant" out of the branding may be helpful... although the "genomic" in GKS and GA4GH implies a scope 😵‍💫 This isn't too much of an issue though, I think.