Abstract
A new future lies in the Blue Economy, with the potential of the oceans’ raw materials - marine genetic resources - which scientific expertise can transform into invaluable products (such as pharmaceuticals) to benefit society, is only beginning to be realized (Royal Society 2017). 862 marine species have been identified, with 12998 genetic sequences associated with patents. BASF
registered 47% of all marine sequences included in gene patents (Blasiak 2018)
Key questions include the owning and benefitting from the results of innovation, products and restrictions of the activity of others in the research and commercial fields, and the elision between the two. This raises questions of private power. There is a further issue that as 64% of the surface of the oceans is beyond the control of states, questions result as to which states benefits from product development and where responsibilities lie in the removal and sharing of MGR.
A new international legally-binding instrument is being negotiated regarding marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction, under the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea, building on General Assembly resolutions from 2004. An important issue identified is whether marine genetic resources should be seen as free to all to take and own (the freedom of the high seas approach), as being part of the common heritage of humankind, and whether a different approach should apply (Thamisetty 2018)
registered 47% of all marine sequences included in gene patents (Blasiak 2018)
Key questions include the owning and benefitting from the results of innovation, products and restrictions of the activity of others in the research and commercial fields, and the elision between the two. This raises questions of private power. There is a further issue that as 64% of the surface of the oceans is beyond the control of states, questions result as to which states benefits from product development and where responsibilities lie in the removal and sharing of MGR.
A new international legally-binding instrument is being negotiated regarding marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction, under the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea, building on General Assembly resolutions from 2004. An important issue identified is whether marine genetic resources should be seen as free to all to take and own (the freedom of the high seas approach), as being part of the common heritage of humankind, and whether a different approach should apply (Thamisetty 2018)
Original language | English |
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Pages | 1 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 17 Jan 2019 |
Event | BILETA 2019: Back to the futures: law without frontiers? - Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom Duration: 16 Apr 2019 → 18 Apr 2019 https://biletabelfast.net/ |
Conference
Conference | BILETA 2019 |
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Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | Belfast |
Period | 16/04/19 → 18/04/19 |
Internet address |