Bioprospecting ethics & benefits
A model for effective benefit-sharing
Leif P. Christoffersen and Eric J. Mathur
Industrial Biotechnology, 2005
Abstract
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force in
1993, yet challenges and misunderstandings related to the search for
new biological products and applications still exist. Diversa
Corporation (San Diego, California) has developed a framework model
for engaging in ethical bioprospecting in which participating countries,
institutions, and corporate stakeholders all benefit, with minimal
conflict or disagreement. This model involves securing legal access
and providing equitable benefits for access to both terrestrial and
marine biodiversity. Moreover, Diversa has developed products that
have resulted in some of the first royalties ever paid from such bioprospecting
activities. These products are not only generated through
strong ethical principles, such as Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and
equitable benefit-sharing, but they also play a role in reducing pollution.
This paper provides important insights into how bioprospecting
can lead to economic, scientific, and environmental benefits.
NOTE: the article text supplied here is for educational purposes only.
*Don't have Adobe Reader?
Get the latest version.
NOTE: Some versions of Adobe Reader have problems with Google Chrome. Either resize the browser to view the paper or enable
the Chrome internal PDF viewer by entering chrome://plugins in your address bar and clicking enable for the Chrome PDF Viewer plugin.