Abstract Detail

Conference Wide

Meyer, Rachel [1].

Tools for the International Botanist: Navigating the Nagoya Protocol.

The Convention on Biological Diversity produced the Nagoya Protocol that has been ratified by 197 countries and dramatically changes the landscape of botanical research abroad. The Protocol is a transparent legal document with a full name of “The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity”. It is meant to help establish a fair framework for the providers and users of genetic resources and to protect providers of traditional knowledge by requiring negotiations with appropriate parties to ensure equitable benefits are given in exchange of that knowledge. Many scientists fear the enforcement of this protocol, that in many ways is focused on corporate utilization of genetic and traditional knowledge resources for economic benefit, will dramatically decrease basic science research data and collections because of the additional hurdles it creates. If you do international fieldwork or have international collaborations, it is important to understand how to adhere to the Protocol. Just as the Protocol creates new challenges and considerations, it also provides a platform to leverage new opportunities, such as lasting research partnerships and increased intellectual collaboration. In this two-hour workshop, we break down the Protocol so it becomes more interpretable and provide examples of how researchers have met the new standards and successfully completed projects that involved sensitive genetic resources or traditional knowledge. We also cover essentials for grant proposal applications that now require language about how the Protocol and other documents like the International Treaty will be followed.

1 - New York University, 12 Waverly Place, New York, NY, 10003, USA

Keywords:
genetic resources
germplasm
economic botany
fieldwork
international research
ethnobotany
intellectual property
human rights
biodiversity.

Presentation Type: Workshop
Session: WS10, Tools for the International Botanist: Navigating the Nagoya Protocol
Location: 105/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Sunday, July 31st, 2016
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: WS10001
Abstract ID:25
Candidate for Awards:None