6-K

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 6-K

                            REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

    PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                    FILING NO. 1 FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, 2001


                              Visible Genetics Inc.
                              ---------------------
                           (Exact name of Registrant)

             700 Bay Street, Suite 1000, Toronto ON, Canada M5G 1Z6
             ------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F

                     Form 20-F   X      Form 40-F
                               -----              -----

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                           Yes                 No   X
                               -----              -----


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                              VISIBLE GENETICS INC.

         On July 24, 2001, we announced that Heather Munroe-Blum, Ph.D., who
has been Vice-President, Research & International Relations at the University
of Toronto since 1994 and a governor of the University, has joined our Board
of Directors, replacing Michael Cardiff who stepped down from the Board.

         Dr. Munroe-Blum was recently appointed Vice-Chair of the Board of
Genome Canada. Professor Munroe-Blum is currently Chair of the Industry
Canada University Advisory Group; serves as Chair of the Ontario Council on
University Research; is a director of the University Health Network and a
member of its Oncology Committee; and a director of the Canadian Genetic
Diseases Network Centre of Excellence. Professor Munroe-Blum has served as a
member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology,
Expert Panel on Canada's Role in International Science and Technology; the
Board of Directors of the Medical Research Council of Canada (now the
Canadian Institutes of Health Research); and the Premier's Council on Health,
Well Being and Social Justice (Ontario).

         This Form 6-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause our results to differ materially from
expectations. These include risks relating to the ability to obtain regulatory
approval, market acceptance of genotyping and our products, delays in, or the
refusal of, insurance companies and other third-party payors to reimburse us for
our products, delays in product development, delays in making the new Atlanta
manufacturing facility operational, and other risks detailed from time to time
in our SEC filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. We disclaim any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

         We hereby incorporate by reference the text of this Form 6-K, but
not the Exhibit attached hereto, into our Registration Statements on Form
F-3, and into the prospectuses contained therein, (File Nos. 333-67607,
333-68939, 333-91155, 333-94649 and 333-40616) and our outstanding
Registration Statements on Form S-8 and into the reoffer prospectuses
contained therein.




                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                        VISIBLE GENETICS INC.


Date: July 24, 2001                     By: /s/ Thomas J. Clarke
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Name: Thomas J. Clarke
                                            Title:  Chief Financial Officer

EX-1

                                                                      EXHIBIT 1

                         [VISIBLE GENETICS INC. LOGO]

                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Richard Daly (416) 813-3281            Bruno Maruzzo (416) 813-3271
CEO, Visible Genetics Inc.             Investor Relations, Visible Genetics Inc.


              DR. HEATHER MUNROE-BLUM JOINS VISIBLE GENETICS' BOARD

     TORONTO, CANADA (JULY 24, 2001): VISIBLE GENETICS INC. (VGI, NASDAQ: VGIN)
today announced that Heather Munroe-Blum, Ph.D., who has been Vice-President,
Research & International Relations at the University of Toronto since 1994, has
joined the Visible Genetics' Board of Directors, replacing Michael Cardiff who
stepped down from the Board. In her position with the University, Professor
Munroe-Blum holds overall responsibility for the direction of research and
international activities, as well as for related relationships, policies,
practices and financial administration. She is also a governor of the
University.

     Dr. Munroe-Blum was recently appointed Vice-Chair of the Board of Genome
Canada which is a $300 million Canadian federal government initiative intended
to bring together industry, governments, universities, hospitals, research
institutes and the public in support of the national genomics research program.
Professor Munroe-Blum has served as a member of the Prime Minister's Advisory
Council on Science and Technology, Expert Panel on Canada's Role in
International Science and Technology; the Board of Directors of the Medical
Research Council of Canada (now the Canadian Institutes of Health Research); and
the Premier's Council on Health, Well Being and Social Justice (Ontario).
Professor Munroe-Blum is currently Chair of the Industry Canada University
Advisory Group; serves as Chair of the Ontario Council on University Research;
is a director of the University Health Network and a member of its Oncology
Committee; and a director of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network Centre of
Excellence.

     Born in Montreal, Professor Munroe-Blum earned Bachelor of Arts and
Bachelor of Social Work degrees from McMaster University in 1974. She completed
a Master of Social Work degree in 1975 at Wilfrid Laurier University. In 1983,
she obtained a Ph.D. in Epidemiology, with distinction, from the




University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An epidemiologist, Dr.
Munroe-Blum has received major research funding support from the U.S.
National Institute of Mental Health, the Canadian National Health Research
and Development Program, the Ontario Mental Health Foundation, and the
Ontario Ministry of Health.

     "We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Munroe-Blum join our board", said
Richard T. Daly, president and CEO of Visible Genetics. "Her knowledge and
experience in research and collaborations will add significantly to our company.
I also wish to thank Michael Cardiff for serving on the board and wish him well
in his other business pursuits."

     Visible Genetics Inc. is a leader in the emerging field of
pharmacogenomics, which uses genetic information in the identification and
analysis of genes to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. VGI
manufactures and markets high performance automated DNA sequencing systems and
complete kits for the analysis of genes linked to disease. The Company's
OpenGene(TM) system employs patented CLIP technology - a single-step,
bi-directional sequencing method that significantly reduces the time and cost
involved in identifying clinically relevant genetic information. Visible
Genetics' TRUGENE(TM) HIV-1 Genotyping Test and OpenGene(TM) System are
currently under review at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

     This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the Company's results to differ materially
from expectations. These include risks relating to the ability to obtain
regulatory approval, market acceptance of genotyping and the Company's products,
delays in, or the refusal of, insurance companies and other third-party payors
to reimburse us for our products, delays in product development, delays in
making the new Atlanta manufacturing facility operational, and other risks as
detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including its most
recent Annual Report on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only
as of the date hereof. VGI disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.

                                       ###