With reference to Bioprospecting, consider the following statements: B...
Bioprospecting refers to the exploration and commercialization of biological resources, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, for their potential use in various fields like medicine, agriculture, and industry. The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement that aims to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
Statement 1: Bioprospecting activities must comply with the definition of utilization of genetic resources of the Nagoya Protocol.
- The Nagoya Protocol defines the utilization of genetic resources as "to conduct research and development on the genetic and/or biochemical composition of genetic resources, including through the application of biotechnology."
- Bioprospecting activities involve the research and development of genetic resources for potential commercial use in various industries.
- Therefore, it is correct to say that bioprospecting activities must comply with the definition of utilization of genetic resources as stated in the Nagoya Protocol.
Statement 2: Bioprospecting activities are possible only in terrestrial environments.
- Bioprospecting activities can occur in both terrestrial and marine environments.
- Terrestrial environments include forests, jungles, grasslands, and other land-based ecosystems where various plants and animals can be found.
- However, marine environments, such as oceans, seas, and coastal areas, also host a wide range of biological resources that can be subject to bioprospecting activities.
- Many marine organisms have unique biochemical compounds and genetic resources that can be of interest for various applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture.
- Therefore, it is incorrect to say that bioprospecting activities are possible only in terrestrial environments.
In conclusion, the correct answer is option 'A' as only statement 1 is correct. Bioprospecting activities must comply with the definition of utilization of genetic resources as stated in the Nagoya Protocol, but these activities can occur in both terrestrial and marine environments.
With reference to Bioprospecting, consider the following statements: B...
- Biodiversity prospecting or bioprospecting is the systematic search for biochemical and genetic information in nature in order to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetic and other applications.
- Bioprospecting activities must comply with the definition of utilization of genetic resources of the Nagoya Protocol or as stated in the national law or policy. The Nagoya Protocol applies to the utilization of genetic resources and their derivatives. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The rationale is to extract the maximum commercial value from genetic resources and indigenous knowledge, while creating a fair compensation system that can benefit all.
- Bioprospecting is possible both in terrestrial and marine environments. Many molecules, such as trabecetidin (an antitumor agent) and eribulin (used to treat breast cancer), were discovered from marine organisms. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
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