James David Spellman

Opinion | Can the world come together to share benefits of genetic data?

Digital sequence information holds great promise, but disagreements on definitions and national interests are slowing progress

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A technician prepares DNA samples for analysis in a lab at Complete Genomics in San Jose, California, on July 22. Sharing genetic data derived from sequencing genomes has the potential to create vast wealth and help reduce inequality. Photo: AP

James David Spellman

Published: 8:30pm, 25 Sep 2024

Robust international rules are needed to govern ownership and use of genetic codes so that all of humanity benefits. This would help close the North-South gap, cure ills denying us good health and address food shortages exacerbated by climate change. Allowing the status quo to continue promises greater inequities while worsening risks of widespread harm.

Several factors are blocking a global agreement to improve access to digital sequence information (DSI) and equitably distribute its benefits. The most fundamental of these is the primacy of commercial and national interests over the virtues of sharing for the common good.

The stakes are enormous. The United Nations estimates DSI will generate more than US$1.5 trillion in global revenue this year and US$2.3 trillion by 2030. Demand for this data is escalating. Researchers in China have joined with 14 countries to form an alliance that proposes sequencing the genomes of more than 1 per cent of the world’s population.

Given the tenacity of disagreements and the scale of money involved, however, significant progress is doubtful at next month’s UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, one of several forums negotiating improvements to terms and mechanisms for genetic resources. Geostrategic tensions are likely to spill into these talks and undermine hopes of progress, as are other ethical, legal and social challenges.

DSI refers broadly to genomic sequence data which delineates the order of biochemicals in genes. Once scientists find a useful gene, they can insert a version into microbes such as bacteria or yeast which then produce compounds for a wide variety of beneficial uses. Technological advances have significantly increased the speed and lowered the cost of generating DSI.

However, the existing treaties only vaguely define DSI. There is no international consensus on what should be included within its scope, creating an enormous obstacle to progress. Some see the definition as being limited to DNA and RNA – which are responsible for storing and reading the genetic information that underpins all life – while others argue it should encompass behavioural data and information on ecological relationships that change cells’ functions.