Digital Sequence Information (DSI) data governance practices to support benefit-sharing and science

Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are developing a multilateral mechanism including a global fund for benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources.

Key issues for the multilateral mechanism still need to be agreed upon, like DSI access and use, triggers for the mechanism, tensions between the current “open” paradigm of DSI in public databases and the FAIR and CARE principles, DSI provenance information, and the role of indicators and monitoring tools. 

Future decisions for the mechanism could significantly impact the various formal and informal DSI governance rules and practices in the databases, scientific funders, journals, and other organizations, as well as national regulations. 

WHAT THIS BRIEF WILL DO:

1. Identify the status quo of the various formal and informal DSI governance around the globe.
2. Describe different types of DSI "users". 
3. Discuss tensions between Parties, stakeholders, and rightsholders that have implications for DSI governance. 
4. Make recommendations from an academic scientific perspective on the possible changes to the status quo of DSI governance.