Getting a Piece of the Pie
Today marks the final day of UN talks to develop benefit-sharing mechanisms to divvy up the rewards reaped from digital sequence information on genetic resources. Over 300 delegates convened in Montreal to discuss how to fairly distribute the gargantuan annual revenues that are a result of the use of DNA sequencing information (DSI).
DNA sequencing is a scientific method used to determine the order of the ‘bases’ [1] in a particular organism’s DNA molecule. This is incredibly useful in many different fields: to identify causes of diseases, screen for disease risk, monitor microbial hazards in the food chain, conserve and manage biodiversity, develop targeted pharmaceutical interventions, produce personalized cosmetic products, and improve agricultural development.
Using information derived from DNA sequencing (DSI) in these various sectors has led to trillions of dollars in annual revenue. However, there is a discrepancy between those who provide genetic resources and those who reap the benefits. Indigenous communities and countries with high biological and genetic diversity have the most to provide but are often exploited by external researchers — typically with more sophisticated techniques and knowledge — coming in and exploiting the bioresources without providing adequate returns.
This led to the creation of the Nagoya Protocol, which became effective in 2014. It sets out core requirements that ensure fair access, benefit-sharing, and compliance. This allows countries to be compensated by the companies that use their genetic resources, and not restrict access to protect national interests. This week’s UN convening looks to address operational details of the Nagoya Protocol to ensure the multi-lateral benefit-sharing mechanisms function as intended.
All this echoes the “data dividends” initiative, popularized by former Presidential candidate Andrew Yang, where the wealth generated by the usage of personal data is shared with the users who contributed it. Although it has not taken off in the public sector, private companies — such as Tapestri — are providing opportunities to earn up to $50 per month by trading in your data.
This conversation is also happening about data used for training AI models. Critics are calling for the relationship between media publishers and companies developing AI to be formalized (see: OpenAI and NYTimes lawsuit), likely in the form of a content licensing agreement.
The Nagoya Protocol can potentially be a paradigm for how to deal with issues of data dividends and data used for training AI models. What once used to be our own, whether that be our data or our genes, can now be easily accessed and exploited without our conscious awareness. It seems like the least we can ask for is a piece of the pie.
[1] There are four chemical bases (“building blocks”) in DNA: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
