Digital Genetics Threatens Seed Sovereignty and Farmers’ Rights

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

In News

• The use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) is a major point of contention at the 11th session of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in Lima (Peru).

Digital Sequence Information (DSI) 

• It refers to genetic data derived from DNA, RNA, or proteins that are stored, shared, and analyzed digitally.
• It enables genome sequencing, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and precision medicine, allowing researchers to study biodiversity without physically accessing biological samples.

Applications 

• It facilitates genome mapping, drug discovery, and agricultural innovation.
• It Helps track pathogens (e.g., COVID-19 genome sequencing).
• It supports crop improvement and resilience through genome editing.
• It Assists in biodiversity monitoring and species preservation.

Issues and Concerns

• Many countries fear that corporations use DSI to bypass benefit-sharing obligations under treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• UN experts warn that DSI could undermine farmers’ rights, as companies claim intellectual property over digital genetic data without compensating source communities.
• Current treaties (CBD, Nagoya Protocol, ITPGRFA) struggle to address digital data, which is easily shared across borders.
  • The Treaty’s Multilateral System (MLS) has facilitated exchanges of millions of plant genetic resources, but benefit-sharing to farmers has been minimal.
• Concentration of genomic databases in a few countries or corporations raises concerns of unequal access.

Way Ahead 

• Digital Sequence Information (DSI) presents both opportunities and challenges, driving scientific progress while raising concerns of equity and sovereignty.
• There is a need to  balance open access with fair benefit-sharing through inclusive governance under international treaties, building genomic infrastructure in developing nations, and ensuring recognition for communities that provide genetic resources.
• For biodiversity-rich countries like India, clear national policies linking DSI use with farmers’ rights and conservation are vital, while global cooperation through a multilateral mechanism is essential to prevent monopolization and ensure DSI contributes to sustainable development. 

Source :DTE