Abstract

MELGAREJO, LUZ MARINA. BIOPROSPECTING AS A POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM FOR COLOMBIA. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.1, pp.19-30. ISSN 0120-548X.

Bioprospecting has been on the agenda for discussion by the government, the academic community, businesses and other pertinent actors for many years now; it is an integral topic representing a potential approach to exploit biodiversity to the fullest. This document presents some definitions of what bioprospecting is (some restrictive, others with a broader perspective, depending on different approaches, actors, target markets and countries) in the context of a mechanism for development and cooperation concerning the construction of capacities, advantages and disadvantages. It was found that bioprospecting in Colombia has been developing from a broad perspective (systematic study of biological-genetic resources, transformation into a product which has led to strengthening some value chains, small- and/or large-scale marketing and some advances in intellectual property rights and the distribution of benefits) in order to provide greater benefits for the nation.

Keywords : prospecting biological diversity; technical capacity; capacidades técnicas; prospección de la diversidad biológica.

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