Integrating different windows on reality: socio-economic and institutional challenges for culture collections

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 58, Heft 2, S. 369-380

Abstract

The task of a comprehensive exploration of micro-organisms in medicine, agriculture, industry, basic, applied and environmental sciences requires many resources and highly specialised methods of collection. The resulting wealth of data makes it essential for experts from different fields to collaborate closely for efficiently translating it into social benefits. Resulting commercial applications are one driving force in further developments that might generate conflicts between intellectual property rights and the need of accessible, shared databases. Culture collections for microorganisms might act as mediators by defining the regulations for access to data and materials. In this article we address problems and potentials of sharing information as part of organising broad access to diverse forms of information on microbial commons. Our main argument is that a focus on genetic information only, by neglecting the importance of combining and sharing facts coming from the behavior and the environment of living organisms, results in loss of expertise, knowledge, and social opportunities both for developed and developing countries, the latter being the reservoir of most of the remaining biodiversity on Earth. Adapted from the source document.