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Balakrisna
Pisupati, UNEP, stressed the need for a focus on issues of ethics
and equity with respect to genetic resources, and said that the special
issue of the Asian Biotechnology and Development Review (ADBR) attempts
to capture experts’ views on ABS issues by highlighting their
implications for biotechnology and development.
Bakary Kante, UNEP, stated that ABS issues within the CBD will be as contested and challenging as the Kyoto protocol, and that UNEP welcomes the release of this special issue of the ADBR as a timely input to ABS discussions. Doris Schroeder, University of Central Lancashire, noted that while human rights are relatively easy to be agreed upon by countries, there is a strong need to raise awareness regarding the high social utility of having a system of national rights over genetic resources. Tomme Rosanne Young, consultant, argued that the lack of progress on ABS reflects the fact that CBD negotiations are creating something completely new. She highlighted that there is a lack of enforcement of national ABS laws, which is due to the lack of harmonization regarding the interpretation of ABS contracts and obligations in national courts. B. S. Parsheera, Ministry of Environment and Forests, India, expressed hope for a positive outcome from the ABS process ahead of the 2010 deadline. Discussions focused on issues relating to the implementation of prior informed consent and equitable participation in ABS decision-making. |
