Abstract
The 2010 Nagoya Protocol is an international framework for access and benefit sharing (ABS) of the use of genetic and biological resources, with particular focus on indigenous communities. This is especially important in Africa, where local communities have a close reliance on environmental resources and ecosystems. However, national legislation and policies commonly lag behind international agreements, and this poses challenges for legal compliance as well as practical applications. This study reviews the academic literature on the Nagoya Protocol and ABS applications, and then considers the implications of this analysis for research in Africa. Results show that there is uneven engagement with the principles of the Nagoya Protocol across different academic disciplines; local communities are sometimes sidelined in these studies; and only 8% of researchers in the literature analysed are located in Africa. Future developments should focus on ensuring national compliance with the Nagoya Protocol, and that researchers and industry work in partnership with local African communities on ABS issues.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 69-74 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | South African Journal of Bioethics and Law |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 12 2022 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2022-10-17Acknowledgements: This work was commissioned and funded by the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association and the Southern Africa Network for Biosciences in collaboration with the GIZ Strengthening National-Regional Linkages Programme – a partnership programme between Southern African Development Community countries, the European Union and German government through a grant made available to the Northern Regions Community of Practice for Research Ethics and Integrity in SA and beyond.