Abstract

DUARTE, OSCAR  and  VELHO, LEA. Analyse Of The Legal Framework In Colombia For Implementation Of Bioprospecting Practices. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.2, pp.103-122. ISSN 0120-548X.

The practice of bioprospecting is inherently linked with traditional knowledge and practices of local communities in the South as well as with the commercial activities of industries (e.g., pharmaceutic sector, agriculture) in the North. A series of actors operate at this interface, such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Research Centers, Universities, Science and Technology sponsor institutions and the State. As these actors have divergent interests and powers of negotiation, an appropriate regulatory framework is necessary to regulate their interaction. This paper analyzes the existing legal framework in a mega-diverse country, like Colombia , for implementation of bioprospecting practices. The research consisted of two key components: (i) A review of the state of art of bioprospecting; (ii) A work in situ in Colombia , which consisted of analysis of information and genetic resources related to bioprospecting, participation in the implementation of a legal frame for bioprospecting practices and interviews with Colombian professionals in the field of biodiversity conservation. Our research determined that: (i) national authorities encounter a multitude of difficulties to implement a legal framework in Colombia , especially the Andean regional normativity; (ii) the execution of research projects related to bioprospecting in Colombia faces numerous challenges.

Keywords : Colombia; Bioprospecting; Legal framework; Genetic resources; Andean Decision 391.

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