Dr Deborah Scott and Dr Dominic Berry of the Engineering Life project (The University of Edinburgh) have published a report "Genetic resources in the age of the Nagoya Protocol and gene/genome synthesis", based on the results of an interdisciplinary workshop held in Cambridge and involving several OpenPlant colleagues and part-funded throught the OpenPlant Fund. The workshop was dedicated to exploring emerging questions and discussions around the practice of synthesising DNA in the context of global biological diversity use and regulation, in relation to the Nagoya Protocol.

Map showing parties to the Nagoya Protocol and Biological Diversity Convention. Image by L. Tak, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Researchers in law, synthetic biology, social science and history were brought together to consider the implications of the Nagoya Protocol for Synthetic Biology and modern biotechnology. The report summarises the presentations and discussions that took place, including conversations on drivers and implications of ABS legislation, and benefit sharing and proprietary technologies.

The latter half of the report reflects on the workshop in light of the December 2016 UN Biodiversity Convention, and considers similarities and differences in the deliberations addressed at the two events.

The report ‘serves to highlight issues not yet addressed in formal negotiations and to provide additional texture to conversations already underway’.

Click to download the full report (1.4 MB PDF, 64 pages)