ABSTRACT
There is no blueprint for developing national policies and legislation governing access to genetic resources and the sharing of benefits from their use. For one thing, there is simply not enough mature experience with this new area of law and policy to be able to say with certainty what is the ‘right way’. For another, countries vary greatly in their capacities, cultures, legal systems and preferences. Nevertheless, there is already a considerable amount of experience – much of it recounted in this chapter and in the References listed at the end of this book – and countries need not, and should not, begin the process of devel-
oping and implementing ABS legislation without taking advantage of the fund of experience that already exists.
