Biodiversity data: The importance of access and the challenges regarding benefit sharing

Eric Von Wettberg,Colin K Khoury

doi:10.1002/ppp3.10241

Eric Von Wettberg, Colin K Khoury

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10241

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Abstract

Negotiations around the potential inclusion of biodiversity data within the scope of access and benefit sharing mechanisms of international treaties on genetic resources have been contentious. Uncertainty persists around which data might be included and the impacts of this important change on the ability to advance science. This special collection of research, review, and opinion articles provides a range of evidence and viewpoints contributing context to these negotiations and the underlying scientific issues involved. Emerging themes include the need for clarity on the scope of biodiversity data subject to access and benefit sharing; the recognition that open exchange of these data provides substantial societal benefits; the prognosis that substantial constraints on access to biodiversity data will negatively impact research; the consensus that multilateral systems of exchange are preferable to bilateral ones; and emphasis on further capacity building and other forms of benefit sharing to enable wider use and impact of these data.

Highlights

Among the reasons for meager progress is continued disagreement around profits and other benefits gained through the use of biodiversity, including how and with whom these benefits are distributed
As a form of leverage, access to biodiversity has been linked with benefit sharing
Further complicating matters is the potential that information generated through research important to the use of genetic resources, such as genotypic or phenotypic data, may soon come to be subject to ABS conditions alongside the physical genetic resources

Summary

Introduction

Among the reasons for meager progress is continued disagreement around profits and other benefits gained through the use of biodiversity, including how and with whom these benefits are distributed. Further complicating matters is the potential that information generated through research important to the use of genetic resources, such as genotypic or phenotypic data, may soon come to be subject to ABS conditions alongside the physical genetic resources. This has come to a head, with the CBD, Plant Treaty, and other agreements actively discussing ABS for biodiversity data.

Results

Conclusion