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Concept Note
Online session, 9 April 2024
UTC-13:00, CST-21:00, IST-18:30, EAT-16:00, CAT/CET-15:00, EDT-9:00, PET8:00
Digital Sequence Information in Biodiversity Research and How to Share Benefits
Progress in many fields of biology depends on the use of genomic data from diverse species across the entire kingdom of life. The species to be considered in this kind of research often have different international origin and fall under the legislation of the Nagoyo Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing aiming for fair and equitable sharing of eventually arising benefits. Presently, the inclusion of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) into the Nagoya Protocol will soon be implemented.
Coordinators & Moderators:
Karl-Josef Dietz, Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants, Bielefeld University, Germany, IUBS President
Jens Sundsdröm, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Invited speakers:
- Douglas W Miano, Nairobi University, Plant Pathology – Virology, Kenya (presentation available here)
“DSI in Plant Microbe Research” (video: 8:41)
- Jens Sundström, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (presentation available here)
“How to navigate the ABS-system, perspectives from a Swedish scientist” (video: 31:40)
- Sebastian Bromander, Lawyer for the LifePlan , Sweden
“Lessons learned from drafting and negotiating ABS contracts” (video: 56:00)
- Amber Scholz, Head of Science Policy Department at Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Germany, (presentation available here)
“Finding compromise on benefit-sharing & digital sequence information: a scientific perspective” (video: 1:12:50)
Questions addressed during the webinar:
This online seminar will present examples of current research outlining the need and utilization of DSI. It will also address how to fulfil the requirement to reach Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) from a lawyer perspective. The aim is to elaborate on the best practice on DSI from the viewpoint of researchers in the field of fundamental bioscience. What are solutions practical for researchers in fundamental science?
- Transparent and consistent mechanism
- Multilateral approach rather than bilateral (“pay-per-use”)
- Uncouple Access and Benefit
- Define the triggering points
- Monetary vs. non-monetary benefit sharing
Report of the session on DSI
The need for practical solutions for Digital Sequence Information to boost scientific progress
Nucleic acid and protein sequences are central to current biological research ranging from molecular biology and genetics to vegetation ecology and biotechnology. The regulatory implementation of a multilateral mechanism for benefit sharing from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) is getting closer to finalization, and is going to be discussed in Montreal later this year1,2. The issue will be an important topic of the Conference of Parties COP 16 of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali (Columbia) in October 2024. The aim of current negotiations from a researcher’s perspective is to implement a practical process that secures open access and fosters efficient use of DSI in fundamental and applied research for the sake of maximal knowledge gain and fastest development of solutions for the pressing threats and challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and securing sufficient healthy food and feed.
The Science Policy Forum for Biodiversity webinar of IUBS on DSI addressed this topic from three perspectives, the researcher’s, the negotiating lawyer’s and policy advisor’s perspective. Prof. Douglas W Miano (Nairobi University, Kenya) outlined the centrality of DSI in research on plant pathogens threatening yield in agriculture and human health. Dr. Jens Sundström and Sebastian Bromander (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden) summarized the work flow and regulatory hurdles associated with adequately dealing with the Nagoya regulations and Dr. Amber Scholz (DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Germany) gave an overview on the current discussion and negotiations on implementing the regulation on DSI3.
Four points need attention and their discussion and implementation is central to finding a practical solution for ABS in DSI use in fundamental and applied research.
(1) The stakeholders and in particular the researchers need clear definitions of the criteria initiating ABS if using DSI.
(2) From the researchers’ perspective, only an open access model will provide an easy and functional mechanism that fosters global research and does not inhibit urgently needed progress.
(3) Non-monetary benefit sharing (including capacity building) from the use of DSI should be encouraged also in fundamental research projects.
(4) The mode of ABS should involve a multilateral mechanism separated from the individual use of DSI by researchers.
Further Information:
1Sixth meeting of the Informal Advisory Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources is scheduled on 12 June 2024 (more info here)
2Second meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources is planned from 12 to 16 August 2024 in Montreal documents here.
3The presentations of the online Science Forum on DSI are available from the list of invited speakers
Learn more about the panelists:
Sebastian Bromander , LLM, works as a legal counsel at SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) specializing in environmental and contractual law. Holding a Master of Laws degree from Uppsala University, he serves as the Legal Responsible in the LIFEPLAN project (2020-2026). This project focuses on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, aiming to establish the current global biodiversity status and generate predictions for its future under various scenarios. Sebastian ensures compliance with regulations, including the Nagoya Protocol, as LIFEPLAN samples materials globally.
Karl-Josef Dietz, explores molecular mechanisms that allow plants to cope with abiotic stress, in particular excess light, oxidative stress, heavy metal and nanoparticle toxicity, salinity and heat shock.research applies modern methods of genetics, molecular biology, protein chemistry, biochemical analysis and physiological characterization.
Douglas W Miano is a Professor of Plant Pathology at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Kenya. He has over 20 years’ experience in training and research, focusing mainly in plant virology. He is the Kenyan Principal Investigator and lead scientist in the development of transgenic cassava with resistance to viruses under the Virus Resistant and Nutritionally Enhanced Cassava for Africa (VIRCA Plus) project. He is a member of the African Group of Negotiators for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and has represented Kenya and the African group in CBD (and its protocols) negotiations on risk assessment, synthetic biology and Digital Sequence Information (DSI).
Amber Scholz is the Head of the Department of Science Policy & Internationalisation at the DSMZ (German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures). With a mission focused on translating DSMZ science for policymakers to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy implementation.
Jens Sundsdröm is a senior lecturer in Plant Biotechnology. His research is focused on molecular mechanisms regulating reproductive development in vascular plants, e.g. flower development and cone-setting, often integrated into an evolutionary framework.