Program of Work

Supporting Member organizations’ work on Access and Benefits Sharing by:

Raise awareness within the biodiversity biobank and genetic research communities
Review and fill additional gaps in best practice and ABS resources as needed,
- With partners (e.g., WFCC, CETAF, SPNHC, SYNTHESYS+)
- Independently
Develop additional use cases for management of permit/legal information
Assess member’s progress on implementation of GGBN permit fields
Implement Data Harvesting Tools (with Data Standards Task Force)

Current Activities

Work with INSDC to make the GGBN Data Standard the global standard for implementing the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit sharing.
Continue GGBN representation on digital sequence information discussions and complete CBD case study on databases and traceability
Perform assessment on permit field implementation across GGBN membership
As part of SYNTHESYS+ Work Package 3, the task force is exploring the use of the International Plant Exchange Networks, viz. an IPEN-like Code of Conduct could facilitate the exchange of samples among member institutions
Serving on the EBP Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Committee

Performed a Combined Study on Digital Sequence Information in Public and Private Databases and Traceability
Conducted review of GGBN ABS guidance materials, including the Code of Conduct, Best Practice for Access and Benefit Sharing and Standard Material Transfer Agreements.
Developed and made available an ABS Fact Sheet and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Released the ABS workshop report on tracking information on the use of genetic samples.
Submitted an opinion letter to the CBD on DSI, participated in the Ad-hoc technical expert group on DSI, and supported a joint stakeholder statement on DSI to the CBD.
Held five workshops on ABS awareness (GGBN 2016 conference, North American Regional Workshop, South American Regional Workshop, Asian Regional workshop and GGBN 2018 conference).

Katie Barker, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2011-present), acting chair
Carol Butler, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2011-present)
Manuela da Silva, FIOCRUZ (2016-present)
Gabi Droege, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem (2011-present)
Chris Lyal, Natural History Museum London (2012-present)
Anissa Lybaert, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada(2017-present)
Oris Sanjur, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (2011-present)
Amber Scholz, German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH (2020-present)
Ole Seberg, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen (2011-present)
Breda Zimkus, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard (2017-present)