Open Source Model In Computers Should Be Applied To Genomic Data, Paper Says

Genomic data should be made publicly available for the promotion of science as a global public good, a new paper argues. Two researchers suggest that a model inspired by the open-source computer software movement should be developed for plant breeding, animal breeding, and biomedicine.

Norman Warthmann, lecturer, Research School of Biology at the Australian National University, Canberra, and Claudio Chiarolla, research fellow in the international governance of biodiversity, Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales (IDDRI), in Paris call for an unrestricted sharing of genomic data in their paper.

“Critical gaps concerning the governance of genomics data need to be filled for the promotion of science as a global public good,” the paper says. The main focus of the paper is plant breeding, but according to the authors can be applied to other areas.

“The possibility to harness gene sequence data in a proprietary manner and to claim molecules, plant traits and DNA constructs, including ones previously existing in nature, may impinge on the ability of others to undertake fundamental and/or applied research.”

The two authors suggest considering copyleft-type licensing mechanism, “inspired by the free and open-source computer software movement.”

Open access to, and freedom to operate with genomic data will enable innovation, they state. They say the United Nations should play an active role in developing and adopting a “Global Open Genome Sequence Data Framework by framing an enabling legislative environment and by promoting relevant technology developments.”

Copyleft-type licences “have transformed software development and industry by requiring source code to be open and by imposing the same license onto any new software produced based on copyleft licensed software,” the paper says.

 

Image Credits: Flickr – Fernan Federici and Jim Haseloff, Wellcome Images