Digital Sequence Information (DSI) has emerged as one of the most contentious negotiation points at the 11th Governing Body Meeting of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) being held in Lima, Peru. As countries push for equitable use of genetic resources, DSI has created new challenges beyond traditional Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) systems.
What is Digital Sequence Information (DSI)?
DSI refers to the digital representation of genetic material derived from biological resources. It includes:
- Nucleic acid sequences (DNA/RNA)
- Protein structures
- Metabolic profiles
- Epigenetic markers
- Annotated biological datasets
These datasets are stored in major open-access global repositories such as GenBank (USA), EMBL-EBI (UK) and the DNA Data Bank of Japan, collectively operating under the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC). INSDC ensures unified standards and free availability of global nucleotide-sequence data.
DSI allows scientists to analyse genetic information without needing physical samples, thereby accelerating research, supporting synthetic biology, and enabling rapid diagnostics development.
Benefits of DSI
- Accelerated Research:
It removes dependence on time-consuming physical sample collection and permits fast computational analysis. - Rapid Data Sharing:
Open-access platforms facilitate quick development of vaccines, diagnostics, and precision treatments. - Lower Barriers to Research:
No transport permits or biosafety logistics are required for digital data, reducing cost and administrative hurdles. - Targeted Therapies:
Big-data analysis of sequences enables identification of disease-specific markers for highly precise interventions.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite its advantages, DSI has triggered serious global concerns:
- Unfair Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS):
Companies can commercialise products using genetic data from biodiverse nations without sharing benefits, as DSI falls outside the CBD and Nagoya Protocol’s ABS mechanisms. - Regulatory Uncertainty:
There is no universally accepted legal definition of DSI, making policy harmonisation difficult. - Traceability Issues:
Tracking the origin of a genetic sequence or its commercial pathway is extremely complex. - Capacity Gap:
Developing countries lack sequencing infrastructure, skilled bioinformaticians, and data-processing capability, limiting their participation.
To address ABS gaps, CBD COP16 (2024) in Colombia created the ‘Cali Fund’, aimed at ensuring fair and equitable benefit-sharing arising from the commercial use of DSI.
ITPGRFA and India's Position
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), adopted in 2001 and in force since 2004, focuses on conserving and providing access to plant genetic resources essential for food and agriculture. It currently has 155 contracting parties (154 countries + EU).
India’s Membership
India ratified the treaty in 2002 through the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001 and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Multilateral System (MLS)
The treaty establishes the MLS, offering rule-based access to 64 Annex-I crops crucial for global food security. Access is governed through Standard Material Transfer Agreements (SMTA), which prohibit claiming intellectual property rights over MLS material.
As DSI becomes central to genetic research, global negotiations aim to balance open science with fairness to biodiversity-rich nations.