The National Genome Sovereignty in a Global Genomics Ecosystem: The Paradox and a Stewardship Solution
Year: 2026
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: Regulating national genome sovereignty presents a critical challenge, particularly when policy mechanisms designed to control population-level genomic data produce counterproductive outcomes. These policies primarily seek to prevent exploitation and protect privacy; however, they often generate unintended consequences in practice. Although such measures are intended to safeguard national interests and ensure the responsible use of genomic resources, they may also reduce opportunities for equitable participation in global genomic research. Restrictive governance frameworks can impede scientific exchange, delay biomedical discoveries, and limit the diversity of datasets required to advance precision medicine and public health. As genomic research increasingly depends on international collaboration and large-scale data sharing, balancing national sovereignty with scientific openness has become a central governance challenge. Stringent data restrictions can fragment scientific communities and ultimately restrict populations’ access to biomedical innovations they are intended to protect. We examine the structural origins of this tension through the lenses of ethics, data privacy, equity, and governance, highlighting the limitations of exclusionary, ownership-based approaches in genomic science. To resolve this paradox, we propose an Adaptive Genomic Sovereignty Stewardship Model (AGSSM), a flexible governance framework that emphasizes responsible stewardship, controlled access, reciprocity, and adaptive governance while safeguarding national strategic interests and facilitating open, equitable scientific collaboration. By balancing protection with responsible international cooperation, the AGSSM offers a practical pathway to strengthen public trust, support innovation, and ensure that the benefits of genomic research are shared more fairly.
Source: Genetics.
Language: English
Topic: Ethics in Clinical Research
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7214947845