Access to and use of marine genetic resources: understanding the legal framework

Natural products have been a rich source of compounds for drug discovery. However, their use has diminished in the past two decades in part because of technical barriers to screening natural products in high-throughput assays against molecular targets. Here, we review advances in chemical techniques for the isolation and structural elucidation of natural products that have reduced these technological barriers. We also assess the use of genomic and metabolomic approaches to augment traditional methods of studying natural products, and highlight recent examples of natural products in antimicrobial drug discovery and as inhibitors of protein protein interactions. The growing appreciation of functional assays and phenotypic screens may further contribute to a revival of interest in natural products for drug discovery.

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“…For further discussion on the impact of the CBD and the workings of the Nagoya Protocol, see references 2,272,273,274 .…”

Section: Box 1 the United Nations Convention On Biological Diversity mentioning

confidence: 99%

The re-emergence of natural products for drug discovery in the genomics era

Harvey

Edrada-Ebel

Quinn

2015

Nat Rev Drug Discov

2,063

1,410

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“…from MGR in ABNJ (Broggiato et al, 2014, Grieber, 2014, Oldham et al, 2014, Lallier et al, 2014 on account of the cost, time, and barriers that could delay or prevent commercialisation Juniper, 2013, Martins et al, 2014). However, disparities in scientific and technical capacity worldwide (Bernal andSimcock, 2016, Juniper, 2013) and gaps in the international legal framework have raised concerns of equitable access and benefit sharing of MGR in ABNJ (Glowka, 1996, Arico & Salpin, 2005, Arnaud-Haond et al, 2011, Broggiato et al, 2014.…”

Section: Under the 1982 United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Seamentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine science and technology transfer: Can the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission advance governance of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction?

Harden‐Davies

2016

Marine Policy

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“…The high estimates 11 for the value of MGR, are based on potential economic value (Oldham et al, 2014) and do not sufficiently account for the externalities and potential barriers in the biodiscovery process. Biodiscovery rarely results in the production of patents and profitable products and most benefits from MGR in ABNJ will be non-monetary (Lallier et al, 2014, Oldham et al, 2014.…”

Section: 2benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Scientific research is the key enabler of biodiscovery and crucial for the derivation of benefits from MGR. The collection of genetic resources in the wild (in situ) -a pre-requisite for the marine biodiscovery process (Lallier et al, 2014) -is mostly undertaken for non-commercial purposes by academic, university and non-commercial researchers (EU, 2014).…”

Section: 2benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deep-sea genetic resources: New frontiers for science and stewardship in areas beyond national jurisdiction

Harden‐Davies

2017

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

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The deep-sea is a large source of marine genetic resources (MGR), which have many potential uses and are a growing area of research. Much of the deep-sea lies in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), including 65% of the global ocean. MGR in ABNJ occupy a significant gap in the international legal framework. Access and benefit sharing of MGR is a key issue in the development of a new international legally-binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in ABNJ. This paper examines how this is relevant to deep-sea scientific research and identifies emerging challenges and opportunities. There is no internationally agreed definition of MGR, however, deep-sea genetic resources could incorporate any biological material including genes, proteins and natural products. Deep-sea scientific research is the key actor accessing MGR in ABNJ and sharing benefits such as data, samples and knowledge. UNCLOS provides the international legal framework for marine scientific research, international science cooperation, capacity building and marine technology transfer. Enhanced implementation could support access and benefit sharing of MGR in ABNJ. Deep-sea scientific researchers could play an important role in informing practical new governance solutions for access and benefit sharing of MGR that promote scientific research in ABNJ and support deep-sea stewardship. Advancing knowledge of deep-sea biodiversity in ABNJ, enhancing open-access to data and samples, standardisation and international marine science cooperation are significant potential opportunity areas. There is no internationally agreed definition of MGR, however, deep-sea genetic resources could incorporate any biological material including genes, proteins and natural products.Deep-sea scientific research is the key actor accessing MGR in ABNJ and sharing benefits such as data, samples and knowledge. UNCLOS provides the international legal framework for marine scientific research, international science cooperation, capacity building and marine technology transfer. Enhanced implementation could support access and benefit sharing of MGR in ABNJ. Deep-sea scientific researchers could play an important role in informing practical new governance solutions for access and benefit sharing of MGR that promote scientific research in ABNJ and support deep-sea stewardship. Advancing knowledge of 2 deep-sea biodiversity in ABNJ, enhancing open-access to data and samples, standardisation and international marine science cooperation are significant potential opportunity areas. 1 KEYWORDS: Law of the sea; international law; marine resources; ocean policy; marine genetic resources; areas beyond national jurisdiction; high seas; access and benefit sharing.

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Access to and use of marine genetic resources: understanding the legal framework

Cited by 25 publications

References 5 publications

The re-emergence of natural products for drug discovery in the genomics era

The re-emergence of natural products for drug discovery in the genomics era

Marine science and technology transfer: Can the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission advance governance of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction?

Deep-sea genetic resources: New frontiers for science and stewardship in areas beyond national jurisdiction

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