Abstract
Scientific communication, collaboration and progress are enhanced through the exchange of data, materials and ideas. Recent advances in technology, commercial proprietary discovery and current local and global events (e.g., emerging human, animal and plant disease outbreaks) have increased the demand, and shortened optimal timelines for material and data exchange, both domestically and internationally. Specific circumstances in each case, such as the type of material being transferred (i.e., select agent, disease-causing agent and assessed biosafety risk level) and current events, dictate the level of agreements and requirements. Recent lessons learned from emerging disease issues and emergencies have demonstrated that human engagement and increased science diplomacy are needed to reinforce and sustain biosafety and biosecurity practices and processes, for better scientific transparency. A reasonable and accepted framework of guidance for open sharing of data and materials is needed that can be applied on multiple cooperative levels, including global and national. Although numerous agreement variations already exist for the exchange of materials and data, regulations to guide the development of both the language and implementation of such agreements are limited. Without such regulations, scientific exchange is often restricted, limiting opportunities for international capacity building, collaboration and cooperation. In this article, we present and discuss several international case histories that illustrate the complex nature of scientific exchange. Recommendations are made for a dual bottom-up and top-down approach that includes all stakeholders from beginning negotiation stages to emphasize trust and cooperation. The broader aim of this approach is to increase international scientific transparency and trust in a safe and open manner, supporting increased global one health security.
Highlights
Transparency in science has been defined as ‘the outcome of a suite of behaviors which characterize reproducible research’; it ‘facilitates and enhances research quality, research integrity and trust’
While laboratory biosafety is a local concern with scientists at their own workplaces, international scientific collaboration often requires minimum common levels of biosecurity practice and regulatory oversight [30]
The synthesis of ideas, research, material exchange and data and scientific transparency as a whole begins at the local level
Summary
Transparency in science has been defined as ‘the outcome of a suite of behaviors which characterize reproducible research’; it ‘facilitates and enhances research quality, research integrity and trust’. While there is an increased need and demand for the exchange of biological materials and data, recent high-impact events have resulted in shortened timelines for effective interchange of such resources Factors such as intensified international interactions including trade and travel, as well. I2s01a7n, 2i,n5c7reased need and demand for the exchange of biological materials and 3doaft1a1, recent high-impact events have resulted in shortened timelines for effective interchange of such resources Factors such as intensified international interactions including trade and travel, as well as ansewnewanadnedmeemrgeirngginhguhmumana,na,nainmimalaalnadndpplalnant tddisieseaaseses,s,uunnpprreecceeddeennteteddmmoovveemmeennttooff rreeffuuggeeeess aanndd cclliimmaattee cchhaannggeehhaavveeininccrereaaseseddththeeurugregnecnycyfofrorresrepsopnosnesaenadnrdecroevceorvyearyctaivcittiiveist.ieSsu.cShuccohncsoidnesridateiroantsioanres easrpeeceisaplleyciraellleyvarnetlewvaitnhtrewspitehctrteosepmecetrgtiongebmioertegcihnngolboigoitceaclhanpoploligciactaiol naspspulcihcaatisotnhsosseuqcuhalaifsyitnhgoases dquuaall-ifuysienrgesaesadrcuhaol-fucsoenrceesrena(rDchUoRfCc)oanncdergnai(nD-UofR-fCun) catniodng(GaiOn-Fo)f-rfeusneacrticohn, i(nGwOhFi)chretsheearmchat,eirniawlshaincdh dthaetamaarteenrieaelds eadndthdraotuagahroeunteaedtyepdictahlroreusgeharocuht aantdypdiecvalelroepsemarecnht panrodcdesesv(eFloigpumreen1)t.pCreorcteasisn(bFiiogluorgeic1a)l. TToo ffuurrtthheerr eexxpplloorree tthheessee cchhaalllleennggeess ttoo ttrraannssppaarreennccyy aanndd ttrruusstt wwee ddeessccrriibbee aa sseett ooff tthhrreeee aaccttuuaall ccaassee hhiissttoorriieess,, oonnee ooff wwhhiicchh iinnvvoollvveedd aa ccoonnvveennttiioonnaall eexxcchhaannggee ooff mmaatteerriiaall aanndd ddaattaa,, aanndd ttwwoo iinn wwhhiicchh lessons learned underscored the importance for science diplomacy to engage partners, build trust and derive strategies to facilitate exchange of materials and data with the proper BS&S assurances
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