Sharing the Benefits of Biodiversity: A New International Protocol and its Implications for Research and Development

Equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity is one of the main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Yet understanding of the CBD rules and principles on access and benefit sharing, as well as how they apply to biodiversity-based research and development remains limited. In October 2010, the CBD adopted additional rules on access and benefit sharing. These rules known as the Nagoya Protocol - provide clarification on several important issues, including the applicability of access and benefit sharing to research on biochemical compounds and processes. As a result, the Nagoya Protocol constitutes an important opportunity for institutions, organizations, and companies committed to ethical practices regarding biodiversity.