Access to Genetic Resources and Sharing of Benefits

Abstract

Rules governing access to biodiversity and genetic resources along with equitable sharing of benefits arising out of their utilization is a major challenge. Developing countries in general and indigenous communities residing therein in particular are more often than not deprived of the expected share of benefits caused by unwarranted access to the resources called biopiracy. One of the major documented and cited cases is that of ayahuasca vine from the Amazon rainforests. In this chapter, we enumerate the evolution of global governance frameworks for access and benefit sharing (ABS) and discuss the provisions contained in the Bonn Guidelines and Nagoya Protocol. The status of implementation of ABS regimes in the various South Asian countries is discussed thereafter.