Accessing and Sharing the Benefits of the Genomics Revolution [Paperback]

This volume explores the legal, economic and political debate over intellectual property rights for traditional knowledge and genetic resources, analyzing theory and practice of access and benefits sharing around the world. The book investigates current flashpoints  the battle between Monsanto and Percy Schmeiser over farmers rights; disputes over coexistence of genetically modified and organic produce; and ownership and control of human genetic materials stored in human gene banks around the world.

There is a veritable gold rush mentality in the life science world as scientists, entrepreneurs and multinationals are staking claims to the code of life embodied in the worlds current stock of plants, animals, microbes and human populations. In response, the communities that see themselves as the custodians of both that traditional knowledge and specific genetic resources have demanded greater recognition of their role in creating and conserving this resource, access to any resulting improvements and a share of the benefits arising from their patrimony. This has precipitated a widespread effortin local communities, in the marketplace, in many developing and developed countries and at the talks in the Doha Round of the WTOto reconcile the interests and concerns of the two opposing groups.

This edited volume explores the legal, economic and political context for the debate about intellectual property rights for traditional knowledge and genetic resources and critically analyses the theory and practice of access and benefits sharing efforts around the world. The book also investigates the current flashpointsthe David and Goliath battle between Monsanto and Percy Schmeiser over farmers rights; the dispute over coexistence of GM and organic production; and the ownership and control of human genetic materials stored in human gene banks around the world.