BOOSTER project promotes responsible research by ensuring ethical use and fair sharing of genetic resources

The BOOSTER project (“Boosting drought tolerance in key cereals in the era of climate change”) is a Horizon Europe-funded initiative bringing together partners from the European Union, the United States, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Switzerland. While its scientific mission focuses on improving drought tolerance in key cereals such as teff, BOOSTER also places strong emphasis on the ethical and legal dimensions of accessing and using genetic resources.​

Central to BOOSTER’s work is the international exchange of plant and soil samples—including teff seeds from Ethiopia, wild Eragrostis species from South Africa, and cultivated varieties from the US and Switzerland. These genetic resources will be studied and shared across borders to foster sustainable agricultural innovation. However, project leaders are clear: no biological material will be moved without full legal and ethical authorization.

The project operates within the framework of several international agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Nagoya Protocol, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The European Union’s Regulation (EU) No. 511/2014 further defines access and benefit-sharing (ABS) obligations. In line with these frameworks, BOOSTER ensures Prior Informed Consent (PIC) is obtained from provider countries and that Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) specify the terms for use and benefit-sharing.

BOOSTER goes further by extending these requirements to all project partners, including those from countries not party to the Nagoya Protocol, such as the United States. This unified approach promotes legal consistency and reinforces the project’s ethical commitment. By addressing complex issues around the sovereignty of states over genetic resources, equitable benefit-sharing, and biodiversity protection, BOOSTER illustrates how research can be both innovative and responsible. The project highlights the need for due diligence in legal compliance, transparency in resource access, and fair treatment of provider countries and communities.

Ethical oversight is provided by the partner EUCORE and a dedicated Ethics Advisory Group, which offers templates and guidance to help partners navigate diverse legal systems. Capacity building is also an integral part of the initiative, supporting partners in meeting ABS obligations and fostering a culture of ethical research. In doing so, BOOSTER not only advances agricultural science but also contributes to global efforts toward sustainable development and fair international cooperation.