The Commercial Use of Biodiversity: Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing

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Book Reviews of The Commercial Use of Biodiversity: Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing

Book Review: Definitive & Seminal Work
Summary: 5 Stars

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has brought a long overdue international focus and control on the access to, and use of, genetic resources. As the details and consequences of the CBD are worked out by many different bodies, there has been much confusion. For anyone wanting information about the implications of the CBD for their business, research or livelihood, the data are scattered in a confusing array of sources. This book brings this subject together in such a thorough way that it will be welcomed by many people. In this authoritative and comprehensive volume the authors explain the provisions of the CBD on access and benefit-sharing, the effect of national laws to implement these, and aspects of typical contracts for the transfer of materials. They provide a unique sector-by-sector analysis of how genetic resources are used, the scientific, technological and regulatory trends and the different markets in pharmaceuticals, botanical medicines, crop development, horticulture, crop protection, biotechnology (in fields other than healthcare and agriculture) and personal care and cosmetics products. The chapters on each sector are presented in a balanced way because of the extensive consultations that the authors held with representatives of each industry discussed.

Of special to Malaysians is the description of the joint venture between a pharmaceutical company based in Illinois, Medichem Research Inc, and the State Government of Sarawak to develop anti-HIV Calanolide compounds derived from Calophyllum lanigerum, a plant found in Sarawak.

This will be an essential sourcebook for all those in the commercial chain, from raw material collection to product discovery, development and marketing, for governments and policy-makers drafting laws on access and for all the institutions, communities and individuals involved in the conservation, use study and commercialization of genetic resources. It is an invaluable resource to policy makers, organizations studying and creating uses of genetic resources and the companies that wish to develop them. This book will be widely used to help governments draw up more practical laws and to help industrial companies to ensure the participation of and reasonable compensation for those countries who possess and provide access to so much biodiversity, while at the same time helping industries to avoid legal risks. This book will also be invaluable to universities, research institutes and botanic gardens as we work out the new role that has been placed upon us since the CBD was ratified, that of acting as intermediaries between biodiverse countries and would-be users of their genetic resources.

Kerry ten Kate is Head of the Convention on Biological Diversity Unit at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Formerly a practising barrister, and member of the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) during the preparations for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, she is now responsible for coordinating the design and implementation of Kew's policies in response to the CBD. She holds an MA in law from Oxford University. Susan A. Laird is an independent consultant with a focus on the commercial and cultural context of biodiversity and forest conservation. She has conducted research and provided advice on access and benefit-sharing issues for a range of NGOs, governments, research institutes, and community groups, most recently in Cameroon and Malaysia. She received an MSc in Forestry from Oxford University.

Summary of The Commercial Use of Biodiversity: Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing

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