strategy
Developing intellectual property rights systems in biodiversity conservation
Synonyms:
Determining ownership over genetic resources Claim:
How can genetic resources be "free" if pharmaceutical and seed companies are assigning ownership to such resources through intellectual property rights such as patents and plant breeder's rights? Why are the intellectual contributions of traditional healers or farmers not accorded the same significance? How can biologically rich countries from where genetic resources are sourced be compensated for conserving these biotic riches? And why should national sovereignty be recognized for natural resources such as oil and timber, but not for genetic and biochemical resources?
Counter Claim:
The attainment of the objective of biodiversity conservation requires foreign investment, joint research and commercial development, activities that will largely be undertaken by the private sector and not directly by the Contracting Parties to the Convention. Further, adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights is essential to investment, research and development.
Narrower:
Preventing biopiracyPatenting of genetic materialEstablishing common ownership over biological resources Facilitated by:
Promoting multilateral framework agreements for benefit-sharing in biodiversity conservation Problems:
Economic exploitation of biodiversityExploitation of forest biological resources
Fragmentation of environmental law
Lack of common and local ownership over biodiversity
Theft of tradition knowledge for commercial gain
Unvalued indigenous resources
Values:
RightsConservationConservative Subjects:
Biosciences → GeneticsCommerce → Property
Conservation → Conservation
→ Systems
Development → Development
Research, Standards → Patents, copyright
Resources → Resources
Type Classification:
E: Emanations of other strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
