Access to genetic resources and sustainable innovation in the health industry and health research

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in theworld and consequently has sought to employ genetic resources to further bothits economic development and technological and scientific advancement.Colombias implementation of the international regime on access to geneticresources and benefit sharing responds to the interests of the country inemploying genetic resources for health research and also for the healthindustry. However, the relevant Colombian law leaves aside practices andknowledge that emanate from local, indigenous, and Afro-Colombian communitiesin adding value to biodiversity.

Through an interdisciplinary analysis, thisbook adds a novel country case study to existing international socio-legalliterature on the International Regime on Access to Genetic Resources andBenefit Sharing, showing its deficiencies when considered at national and locallevels. Further, drawing on a Capability Approach, the book aims to suggest analternative approach for Colombia, making the normative claim that such anapproach would create a more inclusive model of innovation in the use ofbiodiversity.