Promoting Scientific Transparency to Facilitate the Safe and Open International Exchange of Biological Materials and Electronic Data

Abstract

Scientific communication, collaboration and progress are enhanced through the exchange of data, materials and ideas. Recent advances in technology, commercial proprietary discovery and current local and global events (e.g., emerging human, animal and plant disease outbreaks) have increased the demand, and shortened optimal timelines for material and data exchange, both domestically and internationally. Specific circumstances in each case, such as the type of material being transferred (i.e., select agent, disease-causing agent and assessed biosafety risk level) and current events, dictate the level of agreements and requirements. Recent lessons learned from emerging disease issues and emergencies have demonstrated that human engagement and increased science diplomacy are needed to reinforce and sustain biosafety and biosecurity practices and processes, for better scientific transparency. A reasonable and accepted framework of guidance for open sharing of data and materials is needed that can be applied on multiple cooperative levels, including global and national. Although numerous agreement variations already exist for the exchange of materials and data, regulations to guide the development of both the language and implementation of such agreements are limited. Without such regulations, scientific exchange is often restricted, limiting opportunities for international capacity building, collaboration and cooperation. In this article, we present and discuss several international case histories that illustrate the complex nature of scientific exchange. Recommendations are made for a dual bottom-up and top-down approach that includes all stakeholders from beginning negotiation stages to emphasize trust and cooperation. The broader aim of this approach is to increase international scientific transparency and trust in a safe and open manner, supporting increased global one health security.

Building Scientific Capability and Reducing Biological Threats: The Effect of Three Cooperative Bio-Research Programs in Kazakhstan

“…Recognizing and encouraging successful networks, such as the ones we have described, are important for growing and sustaining collaborations which in turn mature into sustainable new capabilities (11)(12)(13)(14). In this work, singular projects among DTRA BTRP/IBSP and DTRA BTRP/GBP funded work created networks among common Kazakhstani partner scientists at common institutes.…”

“…This is a "lesson learned" that has led to changes in newer contracts. Limitations in exchanging sample material with foreign partners, which is largely not permitted in Kazakhstan even for research (a measure of scientific transparency) were recently offset by permissions to exchange genomic sequencing data in an electronic form (4,11). Most importantly, building capacity requires strong mentorship and trust among collaborators and partners who are working together on the same goals, objectives, and strategies.…”

Achieving Health Security and Threat Reduction through Sharing Sequence Data

“…Jeanne Fair (Biosecurity and Public Health, Los Alamos National Laboratory) moderated the discussion with panelists Sapana Vora (BEP Team Lead), Gavin Braunstein (BTRP Science), Kendra Chittenden (USAID Emerging Threat Division Senior Infectious Disease Advisor), and Gvantsa Chanturia (BTRP partner-country scientist from the country of Georgia). The discussion topics were inspired by issues related to scientific transparency that emerged during the 2017 SFAF [5] such as the exchange of sequencing data in lieu of actual sample material.…”

SARS-CoV-2: International Investigation Under the WHO or BWC

“…Network members could provide guidance how to monitor research activities of the listed labs, for example, in the context of a still-to-come Scientific Advisory Board of the BWC. Moreover, such mechanism could improve international standards in biosafety and biosecurity and ultimately support an open scientific exchange within the international community ( 69 ). Building trust among BWC Member States is an essential step, especially in the light of ongoing debate, about the (im-) possibility of the verification of the BWC.…”