ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the role of genetic resources within the broader nexus of technological, legal and economic changes taking place since roughly three decades. It addresses the emergence of biotechnology since the 1970s as well as the ways in which genetic resources from plants, viruses and marine organisms are being used in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and even cosmetics. The book focuses on property regimes over genetic resources and their historical co-evolution: the common heritage of mankind, private property rights and national sovereignty. It describes the process towards a regime for Access to and Benefit-sharing (ABS) from plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The book covers the ongoing negotiation process on an ABS regime for marine genetic resources in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. It concludes with some observations on the future of ABS governance.
