ABSTRACT
The CBD defines genetic resources as genetic material of actual or potential value, and defines genetic material as ‘any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity’. Functional units of heredity include all genetic elements containing DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and, in some cases RNA (ribonucleic acid). Thus, ‘genetic material’ under the CBD includes, for example, a seed, cuttings, semen or an individual organism, as well as DNA extracted from a plant, animal or microbe, such as a chromosome or gene. On the other hand, a biochemical extract is not genetic material if it does not contain functional units of heredity (although national-level access and benefit-sharing (ABS) measures often cover biochemicals). The CBD does not cover human genetic resources.
