Genetic resources and the debate over legacy

Looking to protect and prevent the illegal use of genetic resources and also to protect traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, Chile is exploring a Bill introduced in December, 20th 2012 (Bulletin 8751) which seeks to amend the Chilean Constitution.

The Bill explains that countries like Chile which is rich in flora and fauna and moreover, rich in know-how from its peoples, has become imperative in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and biotechnology industry.

The Bill’s authors also highlight the concept of biopiracy and ask for the Chilean authorities to take a more proactive attitude. In this regards the authors claim that Chile must make his own the genetic heritage of its nation, and that it should be part of the public domain of the Chilean people. It also noted that Chilean genetic heritage should not be patented by other countries and that “any type of use that is made of this national genetic wealth should be given under the Convention on Biological Diversity”.

Source Camara de Diputados de Chile.