BlueRemediomics researcher Professor Marcel Jaspars from the University of Aberdeen has co-authored a new article published by Nature Communications on “Harmonizing rules for digital sequence information benefit-sharing across UN frameworks”.
As multiple UN fora (i.e. CBD, ITPGRFA, WHO CA+ and BBNJ) develop parallel rules for sharing benefits from digital sequence information (DSI), the authors urge for better coordination. They advocate that International policymakers should focus on harmonizing new benefit-sharing rules to ensure open access to data, database interoperability, and better benefit sharing outcomes.
As part of the article, the authors have generated public health, food security and sustainable use case studies based on published literature that show how and why DSI users need integrated access to DSI from various UN fora.
These case studies demonstrate the integrative manner of DSI analysis needed to address urgent scientific and societal questions. They reflect the way research is conducted and provide valuable lessons for policymakers to take into consideration moving forward in the negotiations.
Read the full article below!