Frequently Asked Questions
[ Last Updated 4 July 2007 ]
1. What is bioprospecting?
The term bioprospecting can have a range of meanings. In general, bioprospecting is a term used for the gathering of biological material for commercial gain. In the bioprospecting discussion document, the following working definition has been used:
"Bioprospecting is the collection of biological material and the analysis of its material properties, or its molecular, biochemical or genetic content, for the purpose of developing a commercial product. Bioprospecting policy excludes the later steps in the chain of product development."
2. Where can bioprospectors collect biological samples?
Bioprospectors can collect their samples from two main sources:
- From where the biological sample is found naturally, for example from land, freshwater or marine environments (that is, "in situ"); and
- From existing collections of biological material, for example a zoo or an aquarium (that is, "ex situ").
3. Why the interest in bioprospecting?
Bioprospecting activities have led to the development of many valuable products and applications. Examples include medicines, cosmetics, industrial lubricants, adhesives, and the use of micro-organisms to make industrial processes cleaner and more efficient.
In general, the potential development of high-value products or emergence of new markets could help transform the New Zealand economy and build economic prosperity for all New Zealanders.
4. How much bioprospecting is currently occurring in New Zealand?
There is a general lack of information about the bioprospecting sector - which is fairly small in New Zealand - making it hard to quantify the extent of current research, or the potential commercial value of our biological resources. There are, however, a number of bioprospecting projects currently being undertaken by the Crown Research Institutes, universities and private companies.
5. What concerns have been raised by Māori in relation to bioprospecting?
Through the WAI 262 claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, Māori have raised concerns including rights to flora and fauna, customary knowledge and the protection of tāonga. The scope of the WAI 262 claim can be distilled into four categories: Mātauranga Māori ( Māori knowledge), concerning the retention and protection of knowledge; protection of Māori cultural property; Māori intellectual and cultural property rights, as affected by New Zealand's intellectual property legislation and international obligations; and environmental, resource and conservation management, including concerns about bioprospecting and access to indigenous flora and fauna, biotechnological developments involving indigenous genetic material and claims to control of resources and species (for more detail go to Treaty of Waitangi Claim Wai 262 - The Process So Far and Where to from Here).
6. Why is the government looking to develop a framework for bioprospecting?
Currently, there is no comprehensive policy framework for bioprospecting activities in New Zealand. Present legislative frameworks provide in part for bioprospecting activity. There are a number of reasons why the government wants to start looking at the development of a comprehensive framework for bioprospecting, including:
- The possibility that gaps in the overall management of these activities could be leading to biological material being taken from New Zealand without our knowledge
- A more co-ordinated and comprehensive policy approach may better generate and optimise the capture of benefits, thereby increasing New Zealand's ability to take advantage of bioprospecting opportunities
- There is a lack of clear guidelines around the use of the traditional knowledge associated with biological materials.
7. What is sustainable bioprospecting policy?
Sustainable bioprospecting policy recognises the need to avoid, remedy or mitigate any potential environmental or ecological impacts resulting from bioprospecting activity. Sustainability will be an important focus of any bioprospecting policy framework developed in New Zealand, in order to protect New Zealand's biodiversity, threatened species, rare and threatened ecosystems, as well as archaeological and wāhi tapu sites of cultural and historic significance.
8. How does the Convention on Biological Diversity relate to bioprospecting in New Zealand?
The Convention on Biological Diversity (to which New Zealand is a party) is a wide-ranging international treaty, covering the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. It also includes obligations related to the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and local communities. Discussions are likely to begin to accelerate towards the development of an international regime on "access and benefit sharing". This regime will provide the international context for any New Zealand bioprospecting policy.
9. How does bioprospecting relate to the Biotechnology Strategy?
Bioprospecting is one type of research that falls under the Biotechnology Strategy. The Biotechnology Strategy is setting the high level framework for biotechnology research, focusing on:
- Better connections between New Zealand communities and the biotechnology sector;
- Effective regulation to manage the development and introduction of new biotechnologies; and
- Growing the commercial value of the biotechnology sector.
10. What are other countries doing?
A number of countries are developing access and benefit sharing regimes for their biological resources. These regimes vary widely around the world. This topic is covered more fully in the discussion document. It is important to examine these various frameworks and learn from them during the development of a bioprospecting framework for New Zealand.
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