Research into the genomics of pathogens plays a vital role in preparing for and responding to global health emergencies. Yet, the rapid sharing of these data often occurs inequitably, where data-contributing regions, particularly those in the Global South, may not benefit from the countermeasures—vaccines, therapies, and diagnostics—their data help to create.

GA4GH REWS and PHA4GE are developing practical guidance points to balance data sovereignty rights with rapid access needs, ensuring that tracking, transparency, and accountability enable equitable benefit sharing in pathogen genomic data use.

The group aims to leverage  GA4GHs policy and technology standards by offering flexible, actionable recommendations grounded in human rights principles. Developed through global consultation, this tool works across different regulatory frameworks to ensure data-contributing regions benefit from the countermeasures their data helps create.

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Benefits

• Promotes ethical conduct and data sharing practices in human-pathogen genomics research during pandemics and epidemics
• Highlights mechanisms for human-pathogen genomics research benefit sharing during pandemics and epidemics

Target users

Researchers, clinicians, clinical laboratories, data generators, data custodians, data access committees, ethics review committees, data protection authorities, funding agencies, research participants & patient communities, security officers, and research institutes