19
posted ago by clemaneuverers ago by clemaneuverers +19 / -0

The shiny (and useless) framework of Nextstrain [purported database of "varients"] is partly open source (you need their permissions anyway to use anything). The framework only fullfils certain "narrative" functions, and "data visualisation"-tasks.

The main point is nevertheless: The data is obtained and based upon GISAID, and those data-sets are the opposite of "open source", and are monopolised literally by GISAID. In other words: They are monopolising SARS-CoV-2 genomic data sets.

When Dr. James Taylor mentioned this several times on social media, he died conveniently a few days later. (40 years old, died April 2nd, 2020)

Richard Neher and Trevor Bedford (primary heads of Nextstrain) both sit in the scientific board of GISAID, so basically the two "leaders" of "Nextstrain" are also filling primary positions at GISAID.

All data-sets on nextstrain are based upon GISAID data-sets. Period.

Both platforms are financed via Gates Foundation.

Tweet by Dr. James Taylor complaining about the "non existent" open source status of the actual raw data, last year, he died a few days later: https://twitter.com/jxtx/status/1245212909950689280

Here you can find the official website of Peter Bogner - former MTV Germany Producer - who is now "CEO / Initiator / 1st Head of GISAID":

http://bogner.org/

Source: https://twitter.com/Bobby_Network