Description
Scitus Academics LLC The Global Governance of Genetic Resources by Viveka Janson
Genetic resources (GRs) refer to genetic material of actual or potential
value. Genetic material is any material of plant, animal, microbial or other
origin containing functional units of heredity such as medicinal plants,
agricultural crops and animal breeds. GRs as encountered in nature are not
creations of the human mind and thus they cannot be directly protected as
intellectual property (IP). However, there are IP issues associated with GRs.
Genetic conservation is an integral part of a much broader activity
concerned with protecting the many plants, animals, microorganisms, and
communities of organisms that help to mold and stabilize the environment
and maintain the quality of air, water, and soil.
The Global Governance of Genetic Resources explores the historical
development of international genetic resources governance and considers
why the area has become so important and multifaceted. It goes on to
analyse the current situation and develop recommendations on what
governance efforts should be achieving for the future.
The book analyzes a range of relevant background factors, including the
impact of climate change on countries' interdependence on genetic
resources, germplasm flows in and out of international genebanks, crops
specific research programs, and countries as a whole. It considers the
historical development and mechanics of the multilateral system of access
and benefit sharing. It provides space for leaders in the field to reflect on
what has worked well, and where challenges remain in terms of the
multilateral system's performance as a central feature in a global system of
collective action to conserve and sustainably use genetic diversity, and
equitably share benefits derived from that use.
This Book will be of interest to students and academics concerned with the
management of genetic resources and its relation to issues such as
biodiversity conservation and food security. It will appeal to academic
researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners in the fields of international
relations, international law and global governance, environmental science,
development studies, and the biosciences.