Facing the Harsh Reality of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Legislation: An Industry Perspective

Access and benefit sharing (ABS) is a framework which refers to a relatively recent type of legal requirements for access to and use of “genetic resources”. They are based on diverse national and regional laws and regulations, which mostly result from the implementation of the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its supplementary agreement, the Nagoya Protocol. Their ambition is to achieve fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources as an incentive to conserve and sustainably use them. This paper describes the experiences, practical constraints and complexities encountered by users of genetic resources when dealing with ABS legislation, with a focus on users from the private sector. We provide insights on how ABS laws have fundamentally changed the way of working with genetic resources, in the hope that it inspires re-thinking of the ABS framework, to better support the overall objectives of the CBD.

Facing the Harsh Reality of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Legislation

Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a framework which refers to a relatively recent type of legal requirements for access to and/or use of “genetic resources”. They are based on diverse national and regional laws and regulations, which mostly result from the implementation of the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its supplementary agreement, the Nagoya Protocol. Their ambition is to achieve fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources as an incentive to conserve and sustainably use them. This paper describes the experiences, practical constraints and complexities encountered by users of genetic resources when dealing with ABS legislation, with a focus on users from the private sector. We provide insights on how ABS laws have fundamentally changed the way of working with genetic resources in the hope that it inspires re-thinking of the ABS framework, to better support the overall objectives of the CBD.

Engaged Intermediaries to Bridge the Gap between Scientists, Educational Practitioners and Farmers to Develop Sustainable Agri-Food Innovation Systems: A US Case Study

This article analyses the role of intermediaries′ engagements to bridge the gaps between research, education and practice in the processes of knowledge production needed for the shift to sustainable agri-food systems. It is based on an immersive study of an intermediary organization in the USA, including comprehensive interviews with the staff of the organization about their professional activities, their career paths, their close and longstanding professional relationships, and their values. Three characteristics of engaged intermediaries are identified, which can be positive add-ons for bridging activities: they consider farmers and scientists as equal contributors to the production of knowledge; they are involved in multiple life-worlds: for instance, being both a farmer and an outreach specialist or scientist; and they are closely associated with movements furthering the development of local and sustainable agri-food systems and an equitable sharing of knowledge. The article addresses topics often neglected in the innovation systems literature: the experience, social relations and political engagement of intermediary actors.

A Biblical Argument for Veganism

This paper argues that veganism is the ideal diet for a religious and spiritual biblically endorsed lifestyle. Both Christians and Jews are guided by the Old Testament’s injunctions and writings, which equally support a vegan lifestyle. Areas of discussion include G-d’s first intention, the biblical goals of preservation of health, compassion for animals, equitable sharing of food with the hungry, environmental protection and wellbeing, including conservation of resources, preserving and healing the world, seeking and pursuing peace. It concludes that in light of the animal, human and environmental impacts of modern livestock production and consumption, veganism is the moral, ethical and spiritually-supported choice for those who subscribe to lifestyles led and inspired by the stories, interpretations, commentaries, injunctions and guidance of the Hebrew bible. It also offers spiritually-directed followers a sacred way to actively, yet non-violently, oppose daily human, animal and environmental welfare violations caused by meat production and consumption.

Sowing the future: A better understanding of Corporate-Indigenous Community Economic Partnerships in the Québec forestry sector

A major challenge for the forestry sector is providing Indigenous communities a fairer share of benefits resulting from forest-based development. This can be achieved by building Corporate-Indigenous Community Economic Partnerships (CICEPs). However, this avenue requires a better understanding of: 1) the structures that Corporate-Indigenous Community Economic Partnerships (CICEPs) can take and the impact of these structures on the relationship between both parties; and, 2) the necessary capitals for the creation of CICEPs so that they can meet the criteria of equitable sharing, while generating mutually profitable benefits. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted a qualitative research involving 21 semi-structured interviews with Indigenous and industry representatives located in Québec, Canada. CICEPs can be divided into four structures: informal agreement, service contracting relationship, memorandum of understanding and joint venture. These partnerships can be translated into different forms of capital: human, social, political and financial. To promote and maximize CICEPs, it is necessary to link the structure-based approach with the capital-based approach. This research shows that more structured partnerships require larger investments in various forms of capital.

Co-Management in Theory and Practice: Co-Managing the Waipaˉ River

In Aotearoa New Zealand, co-management initiatives are increasingly commonplace and are intended to improve sustainable management of environments as well as foster more equitable sharing of power between the settler-state and Indigenous Māori iwi (tribes). In this chapter we examine one such co-management arrangement that recognises and includes Ngāti Maniapoto iwi in decision-making about their ancestral river (the upper section of the Waipā River Catchment) and whether the implementation of initiative translated into tangible benefits for the iwi. Our research findings highlight how co-management agreement is perceived as overwhelming positive by both government and Ngāti Maniapoto representatives. However iwi note that they still face substantive barriers to achieving environmental justice (including the lack of formal recognition of their authority and power, and limited resourcing).

Optimizing Kidney Replacement Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic Across a Complex Healthcare System

The unprecedented surge of nephrology inpatients needing kidney replacement therapy placed hospital systems under extreme stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we describe the formation of a cross campus “New-York Presbyterian COVID-19 Kidney Replacement Therapy Task Force” with intercampus physician, nursing, and supply chain representation. We describe several strategies including the development of novel dashboards to track supply/demand of resources, urgent start peritoneal dialysis, in-house preparation of kidney replacement fluid, the use of unconventional personnel resources to ensure the safe and continued provision of kidney replacement therapy in the face of the unanticipated surge. These approaches facilitated equitable sharing of resources across a complex healthcare-system and allowed for the rapid implementation of standardized protocols at each hospital.

The ethics of data sharing and biobanking in health research

The importance of data sharing and biobanking are increasingly being recognised in global health research. Such practices are perceived to have the potential to promote science by maximising the utility of data and samples. However, they also raise ethical challenges which can be exacerbated by existing disparities in power, infrastructure and capacity. The Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR) convened in Stellenbosch, South Africa in November 2018, to explore the ethics of data sharing and biobanking in health research. Ninety-five participants from 35 countries drew on case studies and their experiences with sharing in their discussion of issues relating to respecting research participants and communities, promoting equitable sharing, and international and national approaches to governing data sharing and biobanking. In this editorial we will briefly review insights relating to each of these three themes.