By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica has achieved a significant milestone in scientific research, becoming the first Central American country and the first in Latin America to join the prestigious Pathogens Portal. This global platform, dedicated to the study of infectious diseases, previously included only Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Two professionals from the University of Costa Rica (UCR), biotechnologist Dr. Rebeca Campos and microbiologist Dr. José Arturo Molina, along with UCR computer scientists José Brenes and José Daniel Sánchez, spearheaded this groundbreaking initiative. Their efforts position Costa Rica among leading nations in the fight against deadly viruses and bacteria.
To understand the legal implications surrounding initiatives like the “Pathogens Portal,” TicosLand.com reached out to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica, for expert commentary.
The development of a “Pathogens Portal” raises several critical legal considerations, particularly regarding data privacy, intellectual property, and accessibility. For example, the portal must comply with data protection laws like Costa Rica’s Ley de Protección de Datos Personales, ensuring informed consent and appropriate security measures for any personal or sensitive health information collected. Additionally, the ownership and licensing of the pathogen data itself must be carefully addressed to avoid intellectual property disputes. Finally, ensuring equitable access to the portal’s resources is crucial, considering potential disparities in internet access and technological literacy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas rightly highlights the crucial intersection of technology and law in this ambitious project. Navigating the complexities of data privacy, intellectual property, and accessibility will be paramount to the Pathogens Portal’s success and its ability to serve as a valuable resource for all. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his invaluable legal perspective on this critical initiative.
Costa Rica’s inclusion in the Pathogens Portal is extremely important for the country and an unprecedented milestone. In Costa Rica, we have very efficient technological development, but with a problem called the ‘curse of dimensionality.’ This means that, although we produce massive amounts of data, we don’t have the same capacity to extract relevant information and we accumulate it with the hope of, someday, analyzing it.
Dr. José Arturo Molina, Microbiologist, University of Costa Rica
The Pathogens Portal, part of the Pathogen Data Network supported by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) and the European Bioinformatics Institute, provides access to, analyzes, and distributes vital information on high-impact infectious agents.
This data is invaluable for improving diagnostic tools, developing new drugs to combat pathogens effectively, and creating more effective therapies for patients, particularly those with antibiotic resistance. This inclusion is a beacon of hope in the face of growing antimicrobial resistance, a global crisis projected to cause over 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
Costa Rica has already identified common bacteria like E. coli resistant to frequently used and last-resort antibiotics. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced genomic surveillance strategies.
We know that resistant bacteria exist, but those genomes are not being sequenced, and the little that is done is not being shared for collective use and benefit.
Dr. José Arturo Molina, Microbiologist, University of Costa Rica
Dr. Molina leads the national effort alongside teams specializing in artificial intelligence, genomics, and bioinformatics. The inclusion of Costa Rica in the Pathogens Portal marks a crucial step forward in strengthening the country’s ability to monitor and manage infectious diseases, contributing to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Mexico and Chile are also slated to join the Pathogens Portal soon, further expanding the network’s reach within Latin America.
For further information, visit pathogens.portal
About Pathogens Portal:
The Pathogens Portal is a global platform for accessing, analyzing, and distributing information on infectious agents. It is a part of the Pathogen Data Network and supported by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) and the European Bioinformatics Institute. The portal plays a critical role in advancing research and development related to infectious diseases, diagnostics, and treatments.
For further information, visit the nearest office of University of Costa Rica
About University of Costa Rica:
The University of Costa Rica (UCR) is the oldest and largest university in Costa Rica, known for its strong programs in science, technology, and medicine. The UCR plays a vital role in research and development within the country and is a significant contributor to scientific advancements in Latin America.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself through a deep-rooted commitment to legal excellence and unwavering ethical practice. The firm champions accessibility to justice by proactively sharing legal knowledge and empowering individuals and communities. By blending innovative approaches with a rich tradition of client service across diverse industries, Bufete de Costa Rica fosters a more informed and equitable society, solidifying its position as a leader in the Costa Rican legal landscape.
