Utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in academic research. A good practice guide for access and benefit-sharing

This manual inform the academic community about the system governing access to genetic resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge and the sharing of the benefits arising from their use as established by the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol. The brochure explains the steps that researchers must take when accessing biological resources for research purposes and it informs about the ABS legislation in Switzerland. The manual is a Good Practice Guide in the sense of article 20.1 of the Nagoya Protocol

Agreement on Access and Benefit-sharing for Academic Research: A toolbox for drafting Mutually Agreed Terms for access to Genetic Resources and to Associated Traditional Knowledge and Benefit-sharing

This manual contains a set of model clauses that enables users and providers of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge to set up a legal contract that is adapted to the individual academic research situation. If mutually negotiated and agreed upon by the involved partners this agreement can yield a “Mutually Agreed Terms” ABS contract

Scientists – take action for access to biodiversity

Biodiversity research generates critically important knowledge for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)’s goals. However, academic noncommercial scientists intending to study biodiversity experience obstacles caused by restrictive access conditions legislated by the countries that provide access to their genetic resources. Currently, a legally binding protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is being negotiated within the CBD without adequate involvement of the academic community. The ABS regulations were originally designed for commercial uses that generate monetary benefits from the utilization of genetic resources. Noncommercial research should expeditiously assert its interests and state its needs in the ABS negotiations. Academia has failed to market to policy makers its special dual role as user of genetic resources and as generator of essential knowledge for the benefit of the CBD and society at large