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Genetic and biochemical resources have the ability to provide considerable economic, social and environmental benefits to a nation. Traditional knowledge of these natural resources is extensive. Biopiracy occurs when commercial actors appropriate traditional knowledge without recognition or benefit‐sharing. It has faced international condemnation. The importance of acknowledging traditional knowledge and ensuring benefit‐sharing from inventions based on this knowledge is recognized. This paper explores strategies for protection of traditional knowledge and considers the adequacy of Australia's approach. It discusses the global problem of biopiracy and Australia's international obligations. It explores Australia's current protection, including part 8A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations ( ) (Cth). This paper then compares Australia's strategy to the protections afforded in the United States, New Zealand and Brazil. It is argued that an additional disclosure of origin and source requirement within the Australian Patents Act (Cth) would assist in better protection of traditional knowledge and the promotion of benefit‐sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Recherches Amérindiennes au Québec is the property of Societe Recherches Autochtones au Quebec and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anales de la Cátedra Francisco Suárez is the property of Anales de la Catedra Francisco Suarez and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The quest for patent rights has seen bioprospecting as a scientific and commercial research paradigm in which bioprospectors explore secluded locations around Cameroon in order to find 'new drugs from exotic plants'. Bioprospectors derive genetic and biochemical materials that are both scientifically and commercially valuable, and they subsequently patent these materials abroad away from the original source to justify legal ownership through intellectual property law. An almost unprecedented amount of discussion has been stimulated on the merits and demerits of genetic engineering of crop plants and biodiversity exploitation and has divided both the public and scientific communities. The arguments for and against genetic engineering are invariably based on visions or missions of the new technology from widely different ethical perspectives. Fundamental issues of man's relationship with nature and theological matters are issues of concern. The genetic engineering of living cells, plants, animals and human beings has brought ethical concerns and issues to the conservation of biodiversity. Agricultural productivity depends in part on the availability of biodiversity for the development of improved cultivars. Until the 1970s, biodiversity was considered to be part of the 'common heritage of humanity'. Under the regime of patent rights, biological resources are treated as belonging to the 'public domain' and are not owned by any individual, group, or state. From a common heritage of mankind, biodiversity is evolving into a resource under the sovereignty of nation states and is subject to intellectual property rights (IPRs). The new technology has witnessed a lot of illegal exploitation and commercialisation of these biological resources which is considered as biopiracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are legal and moral imperatives to protect biological resources and the ‘traditional knowledge’ associated with them. These imperatives derive from complex legal geographies: international law (such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol), State and federal laws, Indigenous customary law, codes of ethics and research protocols. This paper reports on a ‘patent landscape’ analysis of patents that refer to Australian plant species for which there is Indigenous Australian knowledge. We have identified several patents of potential new biopiracy concern. The paper highlights the way in which actors can gain private property monopolies over biological resources and associated traditional knowledge, even though there are overlapping sovereign rights and Indigenous rights claims. Regulatory gaps need to be closed nationally to fully govern the diverse human–plant bio-geographies in Australia. Further, Indigenous laws and governance have largely been ignored by these actors. We suggest that the introduction of ‘disclosure of origin’ requirements in patent applications,sui generisIndigenous knowledge protections, the development of biocultural protocols, and a more nationally consistent system for ‘access and benefit-sharing’ are required to ensure more ‘fair and equitable’ use of plants and Indigenous knowledge in/from Australia, and to ensure the recognition of Indigenous rights to knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its inception, green criminology has highlighted, examined and analysed environmental degradation and destruction. The 'theft of nature' is both an example and a driver of illegal and 'lawful but awful' acts and omissions that degrade the environment. Even though this theft is widespread and sometimes well known, it persists because powerful actors put forward an influential narrative of denial that obstructs interventions. This paper explores the role of denial in two thefts of nature-biopiracy and climate change-and compares and contrasts the manifestations of denial that contribute to their continuation. We consider the 'appeal to higher loyalties' (economic interests over environmental concerns), and discuss the implications if such denial goes unchallenged and remains the central narrative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypancistrus zebra is an ornamental fish endemic to the Xingu river, Amazon basin, which is under the impact zone of the world's fourth-largest hydroelectric dam. Illegal capture is another threat to this species. Despite its critical conservation status only two nucleotide sequences from this fish are publicly available on GenBank and on the BOLD System. Here, the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of H. zebra is described; totalizing 16,330 nucleotides, including the complete sequences of the two ribosomal RNA subunits, the 22 transfer RNAs and the 13 protein coding genes. The mitochondrial genome was assembled from transcriptome data, from seven organs, two individual fish, and to an average sequencing depth of 7245x. Seven nucleotide differences were found between the individual fish sequenced here-in, while four were detected among these individuals and the unique mitochondrial sequence publicly available. Additionally, 21 heteroplasmic sites were found among seven organs. This is the first quasi complete mitochondrial genome of a species belonging to the Peckoltia Clade, a Loricariidae phylogenetically problematic tribe. This genetic resource will be valuable in the efforts to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among the Peckoltia Clade species, as well as it shall subsidize future practices aiming the conservation of this endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Records about the traditional uses of medicinal plants can be considered useful in bioprospecting (i.e., the search for new active agents or lead structures in nature). Several sources like Egyptian papyri, early modern herbals and pharmacopoeias have been studied in this respect. It is proposed to use recordings of botanically interested explorers of the 19th and early 20th centuries as well. Some of them give detailed information about traditionally used medicinal plants and analysis shows that a considerable number of these have never been scientifically investigated. Existing studies, however, are confirming the traditional uses described to a great extent. Thus, the explorer's writings should not be neglected while looking for starting points for plant screening; success seems more likely than with screening at random. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, a series of controversies has arisen about equity and justice in the rooibos industry, centred both on the biological resource and on the traditional use and knowledge that fostered the growth of this lucrative trade. Accusations of biopiracy, meaning the misappropriation and patenting of genetic resources and knowledge without consent, have taken centre stage, leading to a reassessment of the conditions under which rooibos is traded. Claiming to be the primary holders of traditional knowledge relating to rooibos, indigenous San and Khoi have also launched demands—to date unmet—for a stake in rooibos benefits. Meanwhile, small-scale coloured rooibos producers, despite their involvement in fair trade, remain marginalized. All remain embedded in a political history of rooibos that is characterized by dispossession and adversity, having been propped up by the South African apartheid system. The melding of these issues with a complex and ambiguous legal framework has led to a situation described by some as “the mother” and “testing ground” of so-called access and benefit sharing. Such approaches stem in part from the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol, which lay down new and more equitable ways of treating trade in genetic resources and the use of traditional knowledge. With growing international interest in rooibos tea and its bioactive compounds, a surge of patents associated with the plant, the successful granting of geographical indication status, and threats to the industry of changing climates, ecologies and ecosystems, the stage is set for a reconceptualization and transformation of the industry. Drawing on longitudinal research over the past 20 years, this review paper aims to bring conceptual clarity and a holistic analysis to an often emotional, divided and, to date, narrowly framed debate. Through exploration of rooibos histories and traditional knowledge claims, bioprospecting and patent activities, and conservation imperatives, this paper reviews the spectrum of issues that require attention when considering access and benefit sharing in the rooibos industry and provides suggestions for a more integrative, environmentally responsive and just approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi constitute an invaluable natural resource for scientific research, owing to their diversity; they offer a promising alternative for bioprospecting, thus contributing to biotechnological advances. For a long time, extensive information has been exploited and fungal products have been tested as a source of natural compounds. In this context, enzyme production remains a field of interest, since it offers an efficient alternative to the hazardous processes of chemical transformations. Owing to their vast biodiversity and peculiar biochemical characteristics, two fungal categories, white-rot and anaerobic Neocallimastigomycota, have gathered considerable attention for biotechnological applications. These fungi are known for their ability to depolymerize complex molecular structures and are used in degradation of lignocellulosic biomass, improvement of animal feed digestibility, biogas and bioethanol production, and various other applications. However, there are only limited reports that describe proteolytic enzymes and esterases in these fungi and their synergistic action with lignocellulolytic enzymes on degradation of complex polymers. Thus, in this minireview, we focus on the importance of these organisms in enzyme technology, their bioprospecting, possibility of integration of their enzyme repertoire, and their prospects for future biotechnological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Julius-Kühn-Archiv is the property of Julius Kuehn Institut and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Atlantic Forest is the Brazilian biome with the greatest variety of plant species. Despite the potential of resources that can be used in the development of products and technologies, several species are imminently threatened with extinction. This study analyzes the technologies developed with native species of the Atlantic Forest, and their holders, using patent analysis. It also investigates methodological restrictions and gaps in information sources to relate the use of genetic resources to patented technologies, and also relates the use of these resources to the production and commercialization of products. We found that 92% of patents with native flora of the Atlantic Forest were developed and filled outside Brazil. The patents are mainly in the areas of agriculture livestock, medical or cosmetic preparations, food and beverages, and water, sewage, or waste treatment. The procedures for examining applications for patents, and control procedures for accessing biodiversity have limitations in identifying and monitoring the origin of genetic resources. The lack of transparent access to biodiversity results in the patent analysis as one of the main strategies used to evaluate the misappropriation of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, since patents have descriptive details of inventions and worldwide publicity. • 92% of patents with Atlantic Forest flora were developed and filed outside Brazil. • Patents were requested for about 27% of the products using Atlantic Forest resources. • The evaluation of biopiracy mainly uses patent analysis. • 78% of Atlantic Forest species with patents do not have an extinction risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has finally produced a negotiated framework intended to significantly advance the achievement of its core objectives, chief amongst them benefit sharing with indigenous and local communities who are holders of traditional knowledge related to genetic resources. The interpretation, in particular of central concepts contained in the Protocol, namely traditional knowledge (TK), community, and ownership of TK, and the practical application thereof by governments, are key to the success of the emerging access and benefit sharing regime. This article examines the manner in which the South African Biodiversity Act deals with these concepts. Three recent case studies are described, namely the Hoodia, Sceletium and Pelargonium cases, in which a range of issues relating to holders of TK were resolved, including the question of who the indigenous knowledge holders are. Moreover the debate on the question as to whether the intellectual property rights of TK holders are property rights as such, leads to the author’s suggestion that TK rights are a sui generis form of property rights, and that the legal principles contained in the law of equity provide useful and accessible guidance towards resolution of potentially competing claims of TK rights by indigenous peoples.

The Nagoya Protocol requires states to ensure that access to and use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples and local communities is subject to their prior informed consent (PIC). It also requires states to take into consideration their customary laws. However, it lacks effective compliance mechanisms, a gap exposed in draft European legislation that sidesteps the Nagoya Protocol’s obligations regarding PIC and customary law, leaving traditional knowledge largely unprotected. This article examines the status of customary law under international, regional and national law, and the challenges and opportunities for securing recognition of its role in the protection of traditional knowledge. The article contends that all commercial and development activities with the potential to impact on Nagoya Protocol rights will in the future need to ensure compliance with relevant customary law. It finds state reluctance to adopt measures to ensure consideration of customary law shortsighted and likely to lead to increased litigation. It concludes that customary law has a key role to play in closing the Nagoya compliance gap but to do so it will need to be supported by enforcement mechanisms such as disclosure of origin regimes in intellectual property law.

Despite the evolution of international policy on bioprospecting, Colombian regulations on the matter stilllack uniformity with these international policies. Here we examine the effectiveness of Colombian policyon bioprospecting and its consonance with international guidelines and treaties. To this end, we requestedinformation from the environmental authorities regarding study permits issued for scientific research onbiodiversity and access granted to genetic resources. We also examined the number of research groups inColombia registered under national directives. We found that scientific bioprospecting has increased inthe last five years both in number of research groups (30%) and in the number of registered projects (8times); however, the number of undertakings does not match the number of permits issued, suggestinga margin of informality (70%) in the execution of these activities. For the State to fulfill its duty andpromote research in biodiversity, a change in policy must take place to remove the obstacles that hinderthe legalization of scientific bioprospecting activities.

This article is about Indigenous peoples’ involvement in the Nagoya Protocol negotiations from 2006 to 2010, as well as in its implementation to stop biopiracy in order to protect Pachamama, Mother Earth, and to ensure our survival and the survival of coming generations. The Nagoya Protocol is an international instrument that was adopted in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010 by the Conference of Parties (COP 10) and ratified by 51 countries in Pyeongchang, South Korea in October 2014 at COP 12. This protocol governs access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization (access and benefit sharing [ABS]). It has several articles related to Indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge, as well as: The interrelation and inseparable nature between genetic resources and traditional knowledge; The diversity of circumstances surrounding traditional knowledge ownership, including by country; The identification of traditional knowledge owners; The declaration of Indigenous peoples' human rights; and The role of women in the biodiversity process. In addition, this protocol lays out obligations on access, specifically participation in equitable benefit sharing, the accomplishment of prior and informed consent, and the mutually agreed terms and elaboration of a national legal ABS framework with the participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities in order to have well-defined roles, responsibilities, and times of negotiations.

自古以來，遺傳資源即被廣泛地運用在人類之食衣住行中，在農業及醫藥方面利用之機會更多。尤其是近代科學大量使用微生物與植物成分來生產生物製劑，不僅開發出許多新的藥品，也為醫藥工業帶來新的紀元。也因此，許多已開發國家乃積極投入大量資金，到遺傳資源豐富之國家進行探勘。然而這些探勘者一旦發現了特殊的遺傳資源後，往往在進一步或多或少的研發後，即以智慧財產權來確保其對這些遺傳物質及其所衍生的商業利益，對於遺傳資源來源者卻多未有任何之利益分享，形成所謂的「生物竊取」現象。為避免生物竊取案件之持續發生，並促進遺傳資源之保育及永續利用，許多國家乃著手制訂有關遺傳資源保護之法案。我國屬於遺傳資源豐富的國家，但外國人到國內進行探勘，尚無適當的規範加以管理，同時為促進我國遺傳資源之保育及永續利用，因此亟需儘速訂立有關之規範予以管理。有鑑於此，本文擬就「遺傳資源法」立法的必要性及主要規範架構加以探討之。 For centuries, genetic resources had been broadly used in human life, especially in agriculture and medicine. Recent science use plenty of microbes and ingredients of plants to produce biochemists; not only a large number of drugs are invented, but also has brought pharmaceutical industry to a new stage. For this reason, most enterprises of developed countries invest lots of time and money to survey in countries which possess rich genetic resources. However, once these surveyors find special genetic resources, after more or less researches, they usually hold intellectual properties of these genetic materials to protect their commercial benefits without sharing with sources of which generates benefits. This is so called “biopiracy.” In order to avoid biopiracies and to keep substantial use of generic resources, many countries have started to legislate for protecting genetic resources. Taiwan is a country with rich genetic resources, but still has no legislation to control foreigners surveying in our country; and also to keep substantial use of genetic resources in Taiwan, we need to legislate related law to govern. Hence, this article is going to probe into necessity to legislate “Genetic Resource Law” and its main frame.

The reconstruction of sociology into connected sociologies works towards a truly global and plural discipline. But if undoing the overrepresentation of European epistemology in sociology requires a deeper engagement with epistemologies of the South or worlds and knowledges otherwise, how can we ensure that such engagements do not simply reproduce colonial forms of appropriation and domination? Here I consider means of resisting extractive, or ‘piratic’ method in sociology research by drawing lessons from recent debates around geopiracy and biopiracy in geography and the life sciences. The core claim of this article is that any decolonial knowledge production must involve a consideration of the political economy of knowledge – its forms of extraction, points of commodification, how it is refined as intellectual property, and how it comes to alienate participating knowers. Against this I suggest a relearning of method in an anti-piratic way as a means of returning our work to the intellectual commons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's insights on topics related to biopiracy, reproductive control, and knowledge of people in Guatemala. Topics mentioned include the use of herbal medicine to promote public health, the development of family planning to Mayan women, and the birth control efforts to ensure the health of women.

The control over what Dillon and Lobo-Guerrero (2008) conceptualise as ‘pluripotent' life has become an essential factor of capitalist agriculture; this occurs through the regulation of strategic genetic resources. We recognise this course as part of a larger project of neo-agro-colonialism, which takes place by controlling both biotechnology and territories as an expression of a fungible power, turning geopolitics into biopolitics and vice-versa. While assessing the power relations and manipulation of spatio-temporalities in the process of life fabrication, we discuss the mechanisms of control over ‘pluripotent' life – genetically modified seeds and biopiracy through patentisation of traditional knowledges – which turns life into a commodified good. This is to say that the instrumental use of life fabrication within the rationale of globalised capital (re)creates post-colonial temporalities that legitimise (re)new(ed) colonial ties. We ascertain that it is the manipulation of life's temporality that allows capital to be (re)produced in the agricultural context of the molecular age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the social conditions and human rights of indigenous peoples in French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France in South America. It explores the rights of indigenous peoples to education, gold mining, and religion. Other topics discussed include biopiracy and bioprospecting, the Consultative Council of Amerindian Populations and Bushinenge (CCPAB), and French Guiana's Amerindian populations at the Senate.

Evidence on biopiracy of traditional knowledge and biodiversity is scarce. A method for generating evidence from patents was applied to a set of endemic plants used in Mexican Traditional Medicine. First the method identified a sample of patents as a potential source of evidence. Then, relevant arguments obtained from patents and traditional knowledge sources contributed to generate experimental evidence to sustain a possible case of biopiracy. The method's main implication is the possibility of identification of potential evidence on biopiracy by searching the global patent system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercialization of genetic resources (GRs) is a continuous and evolving process that promises high rewards to those engaged in it. In the 21st Century, GRs and their relevant technology are commercialised either through grant of monopoly rights ingrained in patents and plant variety certifications or through benefit sharing mechanisms. Despite ongoing palavers assuring the free and fair nature of the current Intellectual Property (IP) regime, problems associated with commercialization persist. The lack of interest by the international community to address issues of biopiracy create new forms of deficit causing the imbalance of sovereign powers between nations and bargaining powers between multinational companies and Indigenous communities. Despite the best efforts of the IGC to facilitate text based negotiations for the purpose of reaching an agreement on an international instrument that would provide effective and balances protection to GRs, Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCE), recent attempts to gain monopoly rights over inventions developed from misappropriating GRs and associated traditional knowledge (ATK) sheds light on the rampant misuse of the IP regime and the imminent need for the international community to address it. The objective of the paper is to provide fresh evidence that would facilitate the dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To Isolate and characterize Actinobacteria with antimicrobial activity from Guaviare River (Colombia). Methods: Water and sediment samples were collected from Guaviare River. Direct plating, heat and CaCO3 methods were used to isolate Actinobacteria. Six bacterial strains were tested using T-Streak method: Escherichia coli ATCC 23724, Staphylococus aureus ATCC 25923, Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21556, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 31532. Strains of Fusarium sp. H24, Trichoderma harzianum H5 and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were tested using Kirby-Bauer method. Isolates with high antimicrobial activity were selected for further taxonomic identification. Results: A total of 374 actinobacteria isolates were obtained. Seven isolates exhibited high antimicrobial activity (p < 0.05) and were confirmed as members of Streptomycetaceae family. Of these, three isolates showed differential phenotypic and genotypic profiles, indicating that they may represent new species. Conclusions: To date, this is the first study of this type in Colombian Orinoquia and indicates that this promising source of Actinobacteria from aquatic sediments with the ability to produce antimicrobial secondary metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years there have been global news reports of 'bio-piracy' by companies accused of marketing blockbuster products derived from the biological resources of developing countries. This perception stimulated the adoption of the 2.010 Nagoya Protocol, to implement the objective of the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity that benefits arising out of R&D on genetic resources should be fairly shared with the country of origin. Since October 2014, strict rules apply in the European Union to enforce compliance with the Nagoya Protocol. However, it would be wrong to assume that the new EU Regulation only encompasses bio-prospecting or ethno-pharmacological R&D. Instead, the EU has purposely set up a broad regime that affects companies developing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and biocides, as well as food, feed, beverages, and any of their components. This article summarizes the new EU Nagoya compliance regime, with examples drawn from the food sector to explain its impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of commercially exploiting plant, animal and human genetic resources unlocked by biotechnology has given rise to a wide range of cultural, environmental, ethical and economic conflicts. While supporters describe this activity as bioprospecting, critics refer to it as biopiracy. According to this latter view, international legal agreements and treaties have disregarded opposition and legalized the possibility of appropriating genetic resources and their derivative products through the use of patents. The legal framework that permits the appropriation of natural genetic products in Colombia also criminalizes aspects of traditional ways of life and enables a legally approved but socially harmful land-grabbing process. The article describes these processes and impact in terms of the inversion of justice and the erosion of environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

遺傳資源的規範，特別關於取得與利益分享機制，已成為國際社會關注之焦點；由於該議題具跨領域性，已非單一國際條約可以克竟其功。本文在於分析當今各國際條約或組織與此有關之基本規範意涵與趨勢，輔以各國實踐，期以提供更深入研究之基礎，以及我國立法之參考。本文初步發現各國際條約或組織須加強整合，以追求相互支持；而目前部分開發中國家之實踐是否過於嚴格，皆值得深思。 The regulation on genetic resources, in particular on the topic of access to and benefit-sharing, has become a focal point of the international society. Given the inter-disciplined nature, there seems no single international treaty or institution may fully govern the issue and then achieve a satisfactory outcome alone. The article aims to analyze the basic legal implications and developments generated by relevant treaties and organizations on the topic and to reveal the practices of some nations. The study may serve as a basis for further in-depth research and a reference for our national legislations. It is primarily found that a further coordination of relevant international norms is highly desirable and essential to reach mutual supportiveness. In addition, it needs to have a thorough examination on whether the current practices of some developing countries are unreasonably rigid.

This paper reports on an automated patent landscaping and legal geography analysis to scrutinize the biopiracy of endemic plants in the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). My analysis relies on shrubs and flowers that may be reaped without a fair and equitable distribution of benefits. My findings highlight that Western pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies' innovations may overlap sovereign states' intellectual property rights, implying that regulatory gaps must be filled to empower local communities to benefit from biodiversity and ecosystem services. Therefore, I suggest that the island adopt effective and consistent access and benefit-sharing policies, including mechanisms that encourage environmental protection and require prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms for utilizing genetic resources. I also suggest the introduction of disclosure of origin and/or source of genetic resources in their respective patents regime to ensure that Convention on Biological Diversity regulations and other related international frameworks can be followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of paper is to describe the importance of traditional knowledge in the field of medicine. It particularly discusses the importance of traditional medicine knowledge in the developing countries and the challenges involved in preservation and protectionof it. It evaluates the role of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database with protection and preservation. The paper outlines the theoretical aspect of knowledge preservation, especially with reference to the protection from bio-piracy. The TKDL and TCM database codified traditional medicinal knowledge and made them available in international languages. Both the databases have rich collection of traditional medicine system for the help of researchers and medical professionals. The paper discusses the theoretical and conceptual understandings of traditional knowledge, and its preservation and protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review uses a multidisciplinary approach to investigate legal issues concerning the oceans and human health. It firstly seeks to define the boundaries of oceans and human health research. We use three case studies as examples: biomedical research, marine litter and human well-being. Biomedical research raises complex issues relating to coastal states' sovereign rights to exploit their marine resources and the patenting processes. Coastal states have differing degrees of control over research at sea. There are differences in EU and US law over the status of genetic discoveries, with the US having stricter criteria to qualify for patent protection. International law sets the standard for bioprospecting in developing countries under the Nagoya Protocol. The cost and complexity of marine biomedical research mean that it cannot be left to commercial exploration and needs some public funding. The second case study highlights the rise in marine plastics pollution using Marine Conservation Society beachwatch data. It details the need to alter product design to avoid marine pollution and records an unsuccessful attempt by academics and an NGO to make contact with the manufacturers of one polluting product. It also introduces the concept that faulty design could amount to a public nuisance. The third case study highlights the potential health benefits from access to the coast and the statutory responsibility which sits with the US and UK authorities in the provision of well-being. It posits that there needs to be greater inter-agency coordination to promote access to the coast for human well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity and wildlife protection laws are integral to the pursuit of sustainable development, which the member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have had on their regional co-operation agenda for decades. This article provides an overview of the key legal and policy developments in ASEAN on this front, examining the central role of the 'soft law' approaches embraced by member states towards protecting and managing their mega-diverse genetic resources. The developments will be analysed through the lenses of the international law agreements which all ASEAN member states are party to: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). While it may be sensible to adopt an integrated regionwide approach towards tackling the illicit activities (poaching, smuggling, biopiracy, etc) which threaten the region's biodiversity, the political landscape of ASEAN makes it unlikely for such a supra-national legal framework to emerge anytime soon. Harmonizing the national laws of the ASEAN member states will also be a challenge because of the vast differences between their respective socio-economic circumstances. To illustrate how the domestic concerns and priorities of each ASEAN member state shape the contours of their respective CBD- and CITES-implementing legislation, this article analyses the biodiversity and wildlife protection laws of Singapore - an extreme example within the ASEAN region because it is a land-scarce, densely populated, highly urbanized and economically advanced island state, quite unlike its enormous, populous and resource-rich neighbours. Despite Singapore's unique circumstances, the analysis reveals that there are elements of its legal and policy framework that are potentially transplantable to other legal systems within the region, though this will necessitate a more comprehensive comparative analysis of the relevant laws of the other ASEAN member states, which is beyond the scope of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psicoespacios is the property of Institucion Universitaria de Envigado and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article examines the disclosure requirement as a measure to enhance the protection of traditional knowledge and genetic resources. Topics discussed include negative effects of biopiracy drawing on selected cases from Africa, India, and the U.S., international regime governing access to genetic resources, and World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO's) current program on the disclosure requirement.

Copyright of Canadian Woman Studies is the property of Canadian Woman Studies/Les Cahiers de la Femme and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)