An overview of bioprospecting: Antarctica and the Southern Ocean

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Science
Degree name
Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies
Publisher
University of Canterbury
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
2004
Authors
Hayes, Martin
Abstract

An escalating amount of scientific research on the flora and fauna of Antarctica is focused on the identification of commercially useful genetic and biochemical resources. The potential for commercial gain from such activity is likely to see it increase significantly, in the next few years. Much of this type of work falls under the umbrella term of bioprospecting The need to consider bioprospecting has been raised at the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), in the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). (Hemmings, A.D. 2003) Most recently, the matter was considered at the last meeting of the CEP and ATCM based on a Working Paper submitted by the United Kingdom (Jaastad, N. 2002). The CEP concluded that biological prospecting needed to be discussed during the next CEP meeting. The ATCM agreed with the CEP that biological prospecting was a very important matter. The ATCM also agreed that bio prospecting raised both legal and political issues, in addition to environmental issues.

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Citation
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
All Rights Reserved