9
Glossary
Access and benefit-sharing (ABS)
Prior to 1992, access to genetic resources
and associated traditional knowledge was
free to all. Genetic resources and knowledge
were often taken from communities and
countries by food, pharmaceutical, perfume
and other industries, which monopolised
the benefits. During the latter part of the
twentieth century, a few countries
developed legal provisions for ABS.
However, benefits were usually narrowly
defined as tangible benefits (such as
royalties) and benefit-sharing was largely
carried out at the government level.
Benefits did not reach the traditional
owners of genetic resources and associated
traditional knowledge. Local communities
and countries of origin were often not
informed about the use of their genetic
resources and associated traditional
knowledge, limiting their bargaining power
and preventing them from sharing in the
benefits of their own resources. Growing
concern over the monopolisation of benefits
led genetic-resources-providing countries
to restrict access to genetic resources and
associated traditional knowledge. This led
to the negotiation of an international
regime to regulate access and benefitsharing known as the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD).
Source: www.icimod.org/abs
Biodiversity
According to the Convention on Biological
Diversity, biodiversity is the diversity of
genes, species and ecosystems and their
variability (i.e. ability to change).
Biocultural community protocols (BCPs)
Charters of rules and responsibilities in
which communities set out their customary
rights, values and worldviews relating to
biocultural resources, natural resources and
land, as recognised in customary, national
and international laws.
Biocultural heritage is the knowledge,
biodiversity, landscapes, cultural values and
customary laws of indigenous peoples and
local communities. Its components are
inter-dependent and together sustain local