Access and Benefit Sharing in Non-Commercial Research

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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_at_si.edu http//www.barcoding.si.edu
• 202/633-0812 fax [phone]

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A DNA barcode is a short gene sequence taken
from standardized portions of the genome, used
to identify species
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DNA BarcodesA Key Variable for Biodiversity
Informatics
Museum databases of associated data
Databases of species occurrences and distribution
(OBIS)
Authority files of taxonomic names
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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

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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

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DNA Barcoding A New Tool for Biodiversity
Research From specimen to sequence to species
DNA extraction
CO1 gene
DNA sequencing
Collecting
Trace file
Database of Barcode Records
Voucher Specimen
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CBOL Member Organizations 2009
500,000 barcoded specimens from 50,000 species

• 170 Member organizations, 50 countries
• 35 Member organizations from 20 developing
  countries

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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Uses of Genetic Resources

1. Genetic modification gene splicing
2. Biosynthesis organisms as factories
3. Breeding and selection new varieties
4. Propagation and cultivation without modification
   (mass production)
5. Conservation captive breeding, recovery,
   reintroduction
6. Characterization and evaluation
7. Source of compounds found in nature

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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

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ABS Workshop, Bonn, Germany17-19 November 2008
barcoding.si.edu/ABSworkshop.html
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Geographic Representation Geographic Representation Geographic Representation Geographic Representation Geographic Representation
OECD Africa Latin America Asia Pacific
28 8 4 9 2
54.9 15.7 7.8 17.6 3.9
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Sector Sector Sector
Research Agency Other
29 10 12
56.9 19.6 23.5
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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

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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

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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

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Main Findings (3 of 4)

• Standardized ABS agreements can have mutual
  benefits
• Standard elements, standard content
• More bureaucracy doesnt 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

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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

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The Collection Connection

• US report on Federal collections
• National Science Foundation report
• OECD Global Science Forum Initiative