developing countries defending their
genetic resources
The
Philippines is one country that has long
been active in this area. In 1995 they
introduced legislation on access to genetic
resources, which prescribes, among other
things, that the prior informed consent of
local communities is required before
biodiversity in their territories can be
collected. Andean countries have
established legal frameworks that provide
local communities with a right of prior
informed consent before their traditional
knowledge of local biodiversity can be
exploited. African countries have developed
an African Model Law for the Protection of
the Rights of Local Communities, Farmers
and Breeders and for the Regulation of
Access to Biological Resources. They have
collectively agreed that no patents should
be granted on genetic resources found in
their countries, including living processes
based upon those genetic resources and
related traditional knowledge.
more information
Legal Rights and Natural Resources
Center
