Document Detail


What lies underneath: conserving the oceans' genetic resources.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20837523     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The marine realm represents 70% of the surface of the biosphere and contains a rich variety of organisms, including more than 34 of the 36 living phyla, some of which are only found in the oceans. The number of marine species used by humans is growing at unprecedented rates, including the rapid domestication of marine species for aquaculture and the discovery of natural products and genes of medical and biotechnological interest in marine biota. The rapid growth in the human appropriation of marine genetic resources (MGRs), with over 18,000 natural products and 4,900 patents associated with genes of marine organisms, with the latter growing at 12% per year, demonstrates that the use of MGRs is no longer a vision but a growing source of biotechnological and business opportunities. The diversification of the use of marine living resources by humans calls for an urgent revision of the goals and policies of marine protected areas, to include the protection of MGRs and address emerging issues like biopiracy or benefit sharing. Specific challenges are the protection of these valuable resources in international waters, where no universally accepted legal framework exists to protect and regulate the exploitation of MGRs, and the unresolved issues on patenting components of marine life. Implementing steps toward the protection of MGRs is essential to ensure their sustainable use and to support the flow of future findings of medical and biotechnological interest.
Authors:
Jesús M Arrieta; Sophie Arnaud-Haond; Carlos M Duarte
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review     Date:  2010-09-13
Journal Detail:
Title:  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America     Volume:  107     ISSN:  1091-6490     ISO Abbreviation:  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.     Publication Date:  2010 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-27     Completed Date:  2010-11-22     Revised Date:  2011-07-28    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7505876     Medline TA:  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  18318-24     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Global Change Research, Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat de les Illes Balears, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Spain. txetxu@imedea.uib-csic.es
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Biodiversity
Conservation of Natural Resources* / legislation & jurisprudence,  trends
Ecosystem
Genetics* / legislation & jurisprudence,  trends
Humans
Marine Biology* / legislation & jurisprudence,  trends
Oceans and Seas
Patents as Topic / legislation & jurisprudence
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