Ten years on, the Nagoya Protocol on sharing genetic resources is still confusing scientists—guidance now available

Ten years on, the Nagoya Protocol on sharing genetic resources is still confusing scientists—guidance now available

More than a decade after the Nagoya Protocol, which aims to fairly share the benefits of utilizing genetic resources, became law, microbiologists and other scientists still face practical challenges and confusion. A new guide published by a team of European microbiologists provides universally applicable frameworks for anyone working with biological resources.

The Nagoya Protocol: what is it and what scientists should know about compliance

If scientists discover something valuable in nature, who gets the thank you, and who gets financial compensation? These are some of the questions the Nagoya Protocol, an international framework for access and benefits sharing (ABS), aims to answer. Adopted in 2010, the legally binding instrument creates rules for using genetic resources fairly and legally.  As this complex legislation continues to grow and change, it can be challenging for scien…