Demonstrating the shortcomings of current policy and legal approaches to access and benefit-sharing (ABS) in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this book recognizes that genetic resources are widely distributed across countries and that bilateral contracts undermine fairness and equity. The book offers a practical and feasible regulatory alternative to ensure the goal of fairness and equity is effectively and efficiently met. Through a legal analysis that also incorporates historic, economic and sociological perspectives, the book argues that genetic resources are not tangible resources but information. It shows that the existing preference for bilateralism and contracts reflects resistance on the part of many of the stakeholders involved in the CBD process to recognize them as such. ABS issues respond very well to the economics of information, yet as the author explains, these have been either sidelined or overlooked. At a time when the Nagoya Protocol on ABS has renewed interest in feasible policy options, the author provides a constructive and provocative critique. The institutional, policy and regulatory framework constitute "bounded openness" under which fairness and equity emerge.

This anchor volume to the series Managing Global Genetic Resources examines the structure that underlies efforts to preserve genetic material, including the worldwide network of genetic collections; the role of biotechnology; and a host of issues that surround management and use. Among the topics explored are in situ versus ex situ conservation, management of very large collections of genetic material, problems of quarantine, the controversy over ownership or copyright of genetic material, and more.

Current discussions over the "Certificate of Origin, Source and Legal Provenance" include the legal and practical implications associated with tracking the flow of genetic resources. Knowing what is where, how it got there, and whether conditions and restrictions were complied with, is a critical aspect if an ABS regime is to be effective in its implementation. This book provides insights into options and components for the development of a national/international system for the tracking and monitoring of genetic resources to ensure compliance with the ABS provisions of the CBD. It includes discussions addressing the practical options for such a system, its costs and economic impacts, and its possible role in the ABS framework.

This book highlights some of the principles which should be considered by planners, legislative drafters, and policy-makers as they work to develop legal frameworks on access to genetic resources in their countries. Contextual information on the Convention on Biological Diversity and examples of how countries have approached the issue to date are provided.

Brief 1. Phillips, P. W. B. Policy, national regulation, and international standards for GM foods. Brief 2. Díaz-Bonilla; E.; Robinson, S. Biotechnology, trade, and hunger. Brief 3. Pardey, P. G.; Wright, B. D.; Nottenburg, C.; Binenbaum, E.; Zambrano, P. Intellectual property and developing countries: freedom to operate in agricultural biotechnology. Brief 4. Nottenburg, C.; Pardey, P. G.; Wright, B. D. Accessing other people's technology. Brief 5. Giannakas, K. Infringement of intellectual proerty rights: developing countries, agricultural biotechnology, and the TRIPs agreement. Brief 6. Koo, B.; Pardey, P. G.; Wright, B. D. Conserving genetic resources for agriculture: counting the cost.