Steve Carr: Blurring between biotrade and bioprospecting: how to make the distinction

Описание: What Are We Regulating? The Scope of ABS

Samples for drug development, a bulk plant ingredient used in a cosmetic product, herbal teas, or microorganisms that contribute to biotechnological processes …. do all of these fall under ABS law? A lot of confusion surrounds the activities and products covered by ABS. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) addresses “genetic resources” and “biological resources”, but what does that mean in practice to local groups, researchers, indigenous peoples, companies, and even governments?

ABS policy has provided a home for numerous orphaned ethical issues associated with biodiversity, traditional knowledge, genetic resources, and advanced science and technology. It has been all things to all people and convened invaluable dialogues over the last few decades. But its implementation has always lagged behind its promise, and one of the challenges can be found in the ambiguity around what it actually regulates. This is a pressing matter today as policy makers and others grapple with the implications of DSI for ABS.

People and Plants International, through the Voices for BioJustice Program has produced an overview video addressing The Scope of ABS and a series of interviews exploring these issues in more depth with a range of individuals. A webinar reviewing the origins of scope within the CBD was also held as part of the Voices for BioJustices webinar series “Benefit sharing and traditional knowledge: Unsolved dilemmas for implementation”. Learn more at www.voices4biojustice.org/policy-resources-and-tools/webinars

The Voices for BioJustice Program is a collaboration between People and Plants, the University of Cape Town, and others, created in 2017 to facilitate global, multi-institutional collaboration on some of the most challenging biodiversity conservation and social justice policy issues of our time. Learn more at www.peopleandplants.org/policy-and-trade/voices-for-biojustice

As part of this program, we produce simple, catchy videos that bring local groups’ views and experiences to policy makers. Voices for BioJustice is a People and Plants International collaboration with local organizations and media teams from around the world. We are committed to ethical story telling and true partnership. www.peopleandplants.org/ethics-in-filmmaking

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