Improper acquisition of genetic resources (GRs) and associated traditional knowledge (TK) without prior informed consent and on mutually agreed terms, in accordance with national laws of the country providing the GR and associated TK, as well as without any fair and equitable sharing of the...

This paper examines the underlying principles and main elements of binding and non-binding international instruments relating to access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources. It discusses the gap left by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and some of the elements that might...

Exploration and collection of marine genetic resources ('MGRs') has led to the identification of more than 15,000 molecules. As a result of these discoveries, the number of international claims for marine gene patents deposited between 1991 and 2009 reached 677, and dozens of products based on...