Fast Science and Sluggish Policy: The Herculean Task of Regulating Biodiscovery

Rachel Wynberg; Sarah A Laird

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.09.002

Fast Science and Sluggish Policy: The Herculean Task of Regulating Biodiscovery

Trends Biotechnol. 2018 Jan;36(1):1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.09.002. Epub 2017 Sep 27.

Authors

Rachel Wynberg¹, Sarah A Laird²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 770, South Africa; www.bio-economy.org.za. Electronic address: Rachel.Wynberg@uct.ac.za.
² People and Plants International, PO Box 251, Bristol, VT 05443, USA; www.peopleandplants.org.

PMID: 28964595
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.09.002

Abstract

New rules for access and benefit sharing (ABS) of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge have been established by the Nagoya Protocol but have not kept up with rapid scientific and technological advances in biodiscovery. This suggests the need for innovative, transdisciplinary approaches to regulate ABS and emerging technologies.

Keywords: Nagoya protocol; access and benefit sharing; bioprospecting; biotechnology; synthetic biology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Access to Information / legislation & jurisprudence*
Biological Products / isolation & purification*
Biomedical Research / legislation & jurisprudence*
Global Health
Health Policy*

Substances

Biological Products