DSI:
Kazuo Watanabe Professor PTraD at GRC (T-PIRC ) University of Tsukuba, Japan This presentation is made as a part of ABS-NBRP project
•What is DSI? ●History of DSI and Concerns ●Positions of countries at SBSTTA 2018 •Upcoming Issues at CBD COP-14, NP MOP-3
Chemical Compound Data • Base genetic sequence (DNA)? ● Processed DNA Sequence such as primers? ● Expression sequence (RNA)? ● Amino acid? ● Protein? • Metabolites? ● Secondary metabolites? ● Secondary, tertiary information thereof out rom DSI? Your digitalized data from biodiversity? Protein 3-d structure Data Genomic Sequence Data
• Claims that digital sequence information is the part of biodiversity • Specific concerns on digital sequence information can create substantial value by informatics and modern biotechnology • Major topics at Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol on ABS •  Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Digital Sequence Intormation on Genetic Resources was established by decision XIII/16 of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity •  Parallel concerns for implementing  Environmental Conventions such as initiatives within CBD and CITES •  DRAFT EXPLORATORY FACT-FINDING SCOPING STUDY ON “DIGITAL SEQUENCE INFORMATION” ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE at CGRFA of FAO on April, 2018
• More than one decade: Came out from the processes of negotiations over CBD COPs, and development processes of Nagoya Protocol • Unclear: What is DSI? • Tough: strong interventions  after the adoption of NP • Eminent: Topics formally on the table on COP after 2014 and also at NP • Earmarked: Recent SBSTTA (Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)  of COP CBD in 2018 had a forum on DSI as one of key agenda • Scheduled: CBD COP14 & NP MOP3 in November, 2018

● What is DSI?
• Use of terms such over  genetic resources, genetic materials and biodiversity: individual perception of interpretation of the significance of the terms • Infinite value?: DSI can support substantially to find and produce benefits even without the original organisms: secondary and tertiary product thereof should be included in ABS issues • Link with synthetic biology as the DSI could lead to creating a new artificial organism by modern biotechnology: a threat to biodiversity? • Fact: More than 300,000 species of genome information openly available to support conservation studies in stead of imaginary concerns. Benefits go to mega-diversity countries to support the conservation.
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• Again, use of terms is not well fixed and ● Scope is over-interpreted • Synthetic biology is for contained use but yet within scope of CPB and CBD Products thereof, are not for deliberate release to the environment • Expectation on basic research with potential to innovative applications such to energy and medical uses
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Reactions from International Scientific Communities supporting CBD  Mission international BARCOOF DSI discussion: Unlikely to support implementation of CBD if the agenda continues Databases are in developed countries https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov DDBJ Swissplot Rice etc. International organization database also would be restricted as a large proportion is the contribution from developed countries
• DSI is all information on genetic resources: DNA, protein, metabolites....: every thing digitalized is DSI!! • DSI is the major part of genetic resources: this may threat to conservation • Databases should have traceability of users to charge ABS:  database users should pay and this strikes back to users at developing countries • Databases are used commercially and are benefit sharing subjects: You pay money if you have a database • Needs examining the DSI related benefit-sharing mechanisms: likely waste of tax money contribution from parties • Capacity building needs to negotiate: Already in the context of CBD and NP
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• DSI is not identical as genetic resources • DSI scope must be very limited to DNA as genetic sequence information, even not cover RNA • Use of the terms and likewise definition are not clear (nonsense in terms of basic science view and history of the use of the terms) • With any of the potential legal control on DSI, the most suffered would be the developing countries as the most valuable DSI in databases including trade-secret ones in developed countries
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•  AHTEG was recommended to continue at SBSTTA • DSI may contain biological metabolic substances by the understanding some parties • Some national laws include DSI as equivalent as genetic resources • Working group meeting may be held prior to SBSTTA to COP15 after the AHTEG. ● Traceability at Databases • Comparison with existing ownership management such as digitalized music • Survey research over parties on DSI • Simplified processes over use of DSI out from genetic resources • Legal compliance mechanisms of the commercial use of DSI
• DSI should be well defined • The present understanding on DSI vary over parties and other stakeholders • Damage on conservation is not considered much if DSI cannot be used from existing databases unless ABS is pledged. • Information is cardinal, but only with intellectual and heavy investment processes, DSI could support with little chance to a visible commercial benefit • It is substantial and could suffer public sector if DSI is controlled under an international legal regime
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