Introduction: Funders now require that data sharing be considered in newly funded research project, unless there are justifiable reasons not to do so. Access to genomic data brings along a host of ethical concerns as well as fairness and equity in the conduct of collaborative research between researchers from high- income and low-and middle-income countries. Materials and methods: This systematic review protocol is currently ongoing developed in line with PRISMA -P guideline, registered in PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) record CRD42022297984 and published in a peer reviewed journal PLOS ONE. Data sources include PubMed, google scholar, scopus and Web of science. Both published and grey literature are being searched. Subject matter experts including bioethicists, principal investigators of genomic research projects and research administrators will be contacted. After de-duplication, titles and abstracts will be screened for eligibility. Data extraction is undertaken using using EPPI-Reviewer software. Any discrepancies being resolved by consensus. Analysis will be done using structured narrative synthesis and where feasible metanalysis. The review protocol was approved by the Makerere University School of Biomedical Sciences Institutional Review Board. This review will attempt to highlight the context of data sharing practices in the global North-South collaborative human genomic research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This review will enhance the body of evidence on ethical, legal and social implications of data sharing in international collaborative genomic research setting criteria for data sharing. The full report will be shared with relevant stakeholders including universities, funders, and departments of genomic research to ensure reach in LMICs.
Authors: Deborah Ekusai Sebatta , Makerere University ; Moses Ocan , Makerere University ; Shenuka Singh , UKZN ; David Kyaddondo , Makerere University ; Dickens Akena , Makerere University ; Loyce Nakalembe , Soroti University ; Robert Apunyo , Makerere University ; Alison Annet Kinengyere , Makerere University ; Eve Namisango , Kings College London University of London ; Obuku Ekwaro , Makerere University ; Erisa Mwaka , Makerere University
