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Glossary


Fact Sheets on International Bodies Considering Traditional Knowledge

Erica Gregory
[ Last Updated 28 October 2005 ]


Accede / Accession
To become party to an agreement or treaty. It has the same legal effect as ratification (see below)
Acquisition
Act of acquiring
Biodiversity
The variety of life, including the variety in genes, species, and ecosystems, and the ecological processes that connect everything within a common environment.
Biological diversity
same as Biodiversity (see above)
Biological resources
includes genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, populations, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or value for humanity.
Biopiracy
The unauthorised and uncompensated taking of biological resources
Biotechnology
Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use
Cross-cutting issue
An issue that arises in relation to range of areas, for example, health, education, economic development etc
Ex situ
Off site; away from natural situation or location Gene banks and botanical gardens hold ex situ collections.
Genetic resources
the genes found in plants and animals that are of actual or potential value to people
Humanitarian
someone devoted to the promotion of human welfare and to social reforms
In situ
in the natural or original position or place
Intangible
lacking substance or reality; incapable of being touched or seen
Interface
A linkage between two things
Intergovernmental body
a body of various governments
Material Transfer Agreement
A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a legal agreement to share biological resources. The MTA assures that the person receiving the material cannot give it to anyone else or commercialise the material.
Public domain
Any material, work or information that is publicly available and does not have any intellectual property protection, for example, copyright or patents, usually because the intellectual property right has expired or been nullified somehow.
Ratify
To confirm or accept an agreement by formal consent. At this stage, the party will be bound to comply with the agreement or treaty.
Specialised agency
An autonomous organisation that has joined the United Nations through special agreements - for example the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Specialised agencies coordinate their work with the United Nations but are separate, autonomous organisations.
Sui generis
Latin for "of its own kind". Having a distinct character of its own; unlike anything else, unique
Tangible
something of substance that you can hold and touch

 


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