Why should bioinformaticians and scientists get out of the lab and learn about policy?

Authors: Anglin, Noelle

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/23/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This presentation will be an overview of genetic resources and germplasm collections around the world and my involvement in germplasm collections. There will also be brief history provided on the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), International Plant Treaty for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), and Nagoya Protocol and how these policies play an important role in the movement, acquisition, and investigation of plant germplasm. The presentation will also cover how genebanks in the CGIAR abide by international policies and track germplasm movements which are reported to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on a routine basis. Some of the basic principles of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) will also be demonstrated to the students so they can learn more about this agreement commonly used in germplasm exchange. Further, the current discussion on digital sequence information (DSI), dematerialization, and potential benefits arising from digital data of plant germplasm will be presented along with the current suggestions in the international fora on how international policies may be modified in the future to deal with sharing of benefits arising from digital data produced from plant germplasm. The presentation is meant to provide the students with a basic background on current policy regulations in place and educate the students on evolving issues that can affect scientists going forward.