Crop archaeogenomics: A powerful resource in need of a well-defined regulation framework

[Societal Impact Statement]: Crop archaeogenomics has rapidly flourished in recent years, leading to a new way of understanding the past and bringing answers to important questions about human history in relation to plant management and food production. Furthermore, the knowledge derived from the analysis of ancient crops can contribute to the development of a more sustainable future. However, the extant legal framework presents a number of challenges when applied to this research field, particularly in the current scenario of disparities in scientific outcomes between countries. We expose the uncertainties of the legal framework and the factors that maintain or exacerbate these inequalities, as well as possible solutions.

[Summary]: Crop archaeogenomics is a flourishing field that has greatly benefited from next-generation sequencing technologies. Ancient and historical plant remains are currently considered genetic resources and as such are subject to legal frameworks like those implemented by the Nagoya Protocol. In addition to the challenges in complying with genetic resource regulations that crop archaeogenomics share with other basic plant research disciplines, there are additional difficulties specific to this interdisciplinary field that includes science and humanities, namely, the need to comply with two different legislations before accessing the samples (one for genetic resources and one for cultural heritage), along with a high risk of not obtaining DNA. As a result, most studies to date have been done on samples for which the laws regulating genetic resources did not apply, sometimes avoiding the need of reaching Access and Benefit Sharing agreements with the country that originally provided the samples. This phenomenon is likely to worsen in the future, as the archaeological record is a limited resource and competition between laboratories will only widen the gap between developed and developing economies. Because crop archaeogenomics is a new and promising scientific field, it is desirable to begin a dialogue with other basic biological research fields to facilitate the implementation of these agreements so that basic sciences can easily utilize these biological samples while ensuring the rights of all parties involved.

A.I. is a FPI fellow (PRE2018-083529). L. B is a Ramón y Cajal Fellow. (RYC2018-024770-I) both fellowships funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación—Agencia Estatal de Investigación/Fondo Social Europeo. We acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation-State Research Agency (AEI), through the “Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D” SEV-2015-0533 and CEX2019-000902-S. This work was also supported by the CERCA programme by the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Peer reviewed