It aims to streamline laws and create a single, multilateral system focused on generating revenues for conservation from use of DSI.
About Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
- It is a policy term that refers broadly to genomic sequence data and other related digital data.
- It includes digital representation of genetic resources and biological data, such as DNA, RNA, and protein sequences.
- There is yet no consensus as to exact interpretation and scope of term.
Significance
- Research: It can aid in biological research like understanding evolution of life, bioprospecting (systematic search for useful products from bio resources) etc.
- E.g. virologists used SARSCoV-2 DSI to design diagnostic kits for COVID-19
- Agriculture and food security: Helps develop pest-resistant, high-yield, and climate-resilient crop varieties.
- Species conservation: Help identify and mitigate risks to threatened species, track illegal trade etc.
Challenges Associated with Digital Sequencing:
- Lack of accountability: Public databases used to share DSI, established prior to the adoption of CBD (1992), are not accountable to CBD or its parties.
- Lack of equitable benefit sharing: Primary sectors linked to DSI generate $1.6 trillion annually in revenues, excluding potential benefits to country of origin and communities.
- Other issues: Privacy Concerns, Data Security risks, Ownership issues, Technological Constraints etc.
Initiatives taken for DSI :
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