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Access and Benefit Sharing in Non-Commercial Research. David E. Schindel, Executive Secretary National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution SchindelD@si.edu ; http://www.barcoding.si.edu 202/633-0812; fax 202/633-2938.
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Access and Benefit Sharing in Non-Commercial Research David E. Schindel, Executive Secretary National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution SchindelD@si.edu;http://www.barcoding.si.edu 202/633-0812; fax 202/633-2938
A DNA barcode is a short gene sequence taken from standardized portions of the genome, used to identify species
DNA Barcodes:A Key Variable for Biodiversity Informatics Museum databases of associated data Databases of species occurrences and distribution (OBIS) Authority files of taxonomic names PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Species Identification Matters • Basic research on evolution, ecology • Endangered/protected species • Agricultural pests/beneficial species • Disease vectors/pathogens • Invasive species (e.g., in ballast water) • Environmental quality indicators • Managing for sustainable harvesting • Consumer protection, ensuring food quality • Fidelity of seedbanks, culture collections PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Adoption by Regulators • Food and Drug Administration • Reference barcodes for commercial fish • NOAA/NMFS • $100K for Gulf of Maine pilot project • FISH-BOL workshop with agencies, Taipei, Sept 2007 • Federal Aviation Administration – $500K for birds • Environmental Protection Agency • $250K pilot test, water quality bioassessment • FAO International Plant Protection Commission • Proposal for Diagnostic Protocols for fruit flies • CITES, National Agencies, Conservation NGOs • International Steering Committee, identifying pilot projects PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
ND1 ND2 ND3 COIII DNA Barcoding: A New Tool for Biodiversity Research From specimen to sequence to species Collecting DNA extraction CO1 gene DNA sequencing Trace file Database of Barcode Records Voucher Specimen PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
CBOL Member Organizations: 2009 500,000+ barcoded specimens from 50,000+ species • 170+ Member organizations, 50 countries • 35+ Member organizations from 20+ developing countries
Potential Benefits • Documentation of local species • Ability to identify specimens • Research training and capacity-building • Participation in global research networks • Better scientific basis for policy, protection of genetic resources, economic development PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Obstacles to Research • Lack of in situ repositories, lab capacity • Few national laws and regulatory frameworks • Lack of national focal points, authorities • Lack of legal certainty within countries (changing rules, changing authorities) • Competing interests within countries • Bioparanoia, unrealistic expectations of monetary benefits PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Access and Benefit Sharing Collecting permits and Material Transfer Agreements of great concern to CBOL Member Organizations • Side-events at CITES, SBSTTA, COP-9 • November 2008 international workshop in Bonn • Focus on non-commercial biodiversity research • 51 participants from 24 countries • Submissions to Namibia and Tokyo AHTEGs • Workshop report emphasizing: • Provider country concerns, • Benefits of standard, low-overhead procedures PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
International ABS Regime • ABS one of 3 CBD objectives • COP 9 Decision, May 2008: Goal of IR adoption at COP 10, 2010 • ABS in Non-Commercial Research, Nov 08 • 2008-9: 3 Ad Hoc Technical Expert Groups • Concepts, terms, working definitions, sectors • Compliance • Traditional knowledge • 2008-10: 3 ABS Working Group meetings PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
What is covered by ABS? • “Biological Resources” includes genetic resources, organisms, parts, “any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or value” • “Genetic resources” includes genetic material of actual or potential value • “Genetic material” includes material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Genetic Resources • Functional units of heredity (RNA, DNA) are found in almost all tissue (wood, eggs, fruit) • Therefore no distinction between “biological material” and “genetic resource” • But commodities not covered by CBD • Should distinction be on genetic resources when their actual or potential value is based on their hereditary properties? PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Uses of Genetic Resources • Genetic modification: gene splicing • Biosynthesis: organisms as factories • Breeding and selection: new varieties • Propagation and cultivation without modification (mass production) • Conservation: captive breeding, recovery, reintroduction • Characterization and evaluation • Source of compounds found in nature
ABS Workshop, Bonn, Germany • Focus on ‘non-commercial research’ • Organized by Consortium for the Barcode of Life • Hosted by DFG, German Research Foundation • Co-sponsors: Moorea/Biocode, EDIT, Paris Museum, iBOL, Swiss FOEN, DIVERSITAS • 51 participants from 24 countries PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
ABS Workshop, Bonn, Germany17-19 November 2008 barcoding.si.edu/ABSworkshop.html
Main Workshop Topics • Non-commercial vs. commercial research • Communities of non-commercial research practice • Benefits from non-commercial research • Potential risks of non-commercial research • Standardized ABS agreements and procedures • Proactive measures to build trust PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Main Findings (1 of 4) • Non-commercial and commercial research can overlap, hard to find simple definition • Non-commercial research puts results in public domain • Commercial projects have distinct characteristics involving IPR, restrictions on dissemination of results and benefits • There are tangible indicators of commercial intent PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Main Findings (2 of 4) • Three main risks perceived by Providers: • Change of intent from non-commercial to commercial research • Control and tracking of specimens transferred abroad • Publication of data that are used by third parties for commercial benefit PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Main Findings (3 of 4) • Standardized ABS agreements can have mutual benefits: • Standard elements, standard content • More bureaucracy doesn’t mean more security • Lower transaction costs, delays, bureaucracy • Provide standard safeguards, tracking mechanisms • Indicators of change of intent trigger requirement for re-negotiation • Pre-publication access to manuscripts PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
Main Findings (4 of 4) • Proactive measures to mitigate risks: • Transparent systems for tracking specimens, linking to ABS agreements • Institutional CBD policies • Codes of conduct • Long-term relationships rather than permits • Involvement of funding agencies PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009
The Collection Connection • US report on Federal collections • National Science Foundation report • OECD Global Science Forum Initiative PSI Tahiti, 6 March 2009