Regulatory Body Aimed at the Prospection of Biological Resources in Ecuador

=Description=

(informal draft by juan fernando villaromero)

"Our proposal for the regulatory body aimed at the prospection of biological resources in Ecuador is based on the creation of:

• a physical and digital repository registering biological samples obtained within Ecuadorian territory (similar to Arca de Noé). All elements contained in the repository would be the unalienable property of Ecuador. Open access to this information would be facilitated to promote the study, and eventual commercialization, of applications developed from registered resources.

• a fundamental distinction bertween scientific and economic inquiries. In the first case, interested parties should require a permit from the Ministry of the Environment. Access implies an unconditional recognition of Ecuador’s full sovereign rights over registered resources. Access must involve partnership with an Ecuadorian institution. In the second case, parties may develop commercial applications only from registered resources. Authorization must be granted from the Ministry of the Environment and the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Propiedad Intelectual. Benefit-sharing mechanisms and final distribution will be evaluated after a proper period of time required to evaluate results."