Fabio Friso1, Fernando Mendive1, Marco Soffiato1, Valerio Bombardelli2, Alan Hesketh3, Michael Heinrich4, Luigi Menghini5, Matteo Politi6. 1. Center for Drug Addiction Treatment and Research on Traditional Medicines - Takiwasi, Prolongación Alerta 466, Tarapoto, Peru. 2. Legal Department and Agreements, Indena S.p.A., Viale Ortles 12, Milan, Italy. 3. Indigena Biodiversity Limited, 8 South Park Court, South Park, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, England, UK. 4. UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, England, UK. 5. Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Vestini 31, Chieti Scalo, Italy. 6. Center for Drug Addiction Treatment and Research on Traditional Medicines - Takiwasi, Prolongación Alerta 466, Tarapoto, Peru; Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Vestini 31, Chieti Scalo, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.politi@takiwasi.com.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Peruvian Amazon holds more than 1000 plant species with commercial potential and the national sales of natural products derived from medicinal and aromatic plants have exceeded $ 400 million per year. Research and development activities carried out on the genetic and biochemical composition of Peruvian flora have to abide by national and international regulations, such as the Nagoya Protocol (NP). AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this paper is to describe the implications of the current implementation of the NP in Peru for performing research on national genetic resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the current legal framework and status of the NP in Peru was performed accompanied by first-hand experience undertaken by submitting a request for access to genetic resources related to wild continental species. RESULTS: So far, Peru has issued 16 Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) through 2 of the identified National Authorities. Some of the difficulties and challenges observed have to do with the degree of effective implementation of the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) system, the fact that the application process is not sufficiently clear, and the wide gap between this formal system and what occurs informally outside of it. In response to this, training and implementation projects have been launched and a new law on the access to genetic resources has been proposed. CONCLUSIONS: The difficulties observed still represent an obstacle to scientific research and the development of new commercial products based on Peruvian traditional knowledge and genetic resources. Although improvements have been made to the ABS framework, there remain major challenges to encouraging and ascertaining the equitable and sustainable use of Peru's biodiversity.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Peruvian Amazon holds more than 1000 plant species with commercial potential and the national sales of natural products derived from medicinal and aromatic plants have exceeded $ 400 million per year. Research and development activities carried out on the genetic and biochemical composition of Peruvian flora have to abide by national and international regulations, such as the Nagoya Protocol (NP). AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this paper is to describe the implications of the current implementation of the NP in Peru for performing research on national genetic resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the current legal framework and status of the NP in Peru was performed accompanied by first-hand experience undertaken by submitting a request for access to genetic resources related to wild continental species. RESULTS: So far, Peru has issued 16 Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) through 2 of the identified National Authorities. Some of the difficulties and challenges observed have to do with the degree of effective implementation of the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) system, the fact that the application process is not sufficiently clear, and the wide gap between this formal system and what occurs informally outside of it. In response to this, training and implementation projects have been launched and a new law on the access to genetic resources has been proposed. CONCLUSIONS: The difficulties observed still represent an obstacle to scientific research and the development of new commercial products based on Peruvian traditional knowledge and genetic resources. Although improvements have been made to the ABS framework, there remain major challenges to encouraging and ascertaining the equitable and sustainable use of Peru's biodiversity.