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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
09:40
Novel Sequence Discovery by Subtractive Genomics
Published on: January 25, 2019
How can biological databases support the new UN mechanism for benefit-sharing from digital sequence information?
Débora S Raposo1,2, Davide Faggionato2, Barbara Ebert1
1GFBio - German Federation for Biological Data e.V., Bremen, Germany.
Scientific Data
|June 24, 2026
Summary
New rules for sharing open biodiversity data will fund conservation efforts. Digital sequence information (DSI) databases must adapt to new benefit-sharing mechanisms while maintaining open access and data principles.
Area of Science:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Bioinformatics
- International environmental law
Background:
- Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity established a new benefit-sharing mechanism for open biodiversity data in October 2024.
- Digital sequence information (DSI) databases are crucial for implementing this mechanism, which aims to fund conservation efforts.
- The mechanism requires DSI databases to comply with specific provisions outlined in COP16 Decision 16/2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the new international agreement on benefit-sharing from open biodiversity data.
- To analyze the implications of this agreement for digital sequence information (DSI) databases.
- To identify practical measures for DSI databases to comply with the new mechanism while remaining open and sustainable.
Main Methods:
- Review of COP16 Decision 16/2 provisions concerning DSI databases.
- Analysis of requirements including user notification, metadata improvement (geographical location), open access consistency, and adherence to FAIR, CARE, and TRUST principles.
- Qualitative data collection through surveys, interviews, and a workshop with biological database managers.
Main Results:
- Identified practical and scalable measures for DSI databases: updating terms of use, revising submission procedures, and enhancing user communication.
- Proposed methods for capturing and reporting non-monetary benefits like capacity building, publications, interoperability, and training.
- Demonstrated how DSI databases can support benefit-sharing while maintaining openness, sustainability, and global connectivity.
Conclusions:
- DSI databases can successfully adapt to the new benefit-sharing mechanism by implementing practical adjustments.
- The proposed measures ensure that DSI databases remain open, sustainable, and globally connected.
- Successful implementation supports both biodiversity conservation funding and the continued open sharing of biological data.
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