Plant Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge in Light of Recent Policy Developments

Plant genetic resource and associated traditional knowledge are the invaluable assets determining the global food security especially with expanding global population and climate change. They provide important genes/alleles governing resistance to biotic and abiotic stress that are usually available in wild species and landraces. A number of activities such as increasing population growth, urbanization, clearing of land, overgrazing, the cutting and smoldering of forests, indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides, loss of habitat, climate change, war, and civil strife have impacted negatively that destroyed natural habitats and threatened the genetic diversity of crop species as well as associated traditional knowledge. The plant genetic diversity has become highly vulnerable to “genetic erosion,” and traditional knowledge too faces serious levels of erosion. In addition, the plant genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge are subjected to misuse and misappropriation known as “biopiracy.” Therefore, to address these complex issues of plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge, a number of international instruments/policies have been developed over the years in the form of treaties, conventions, agreements, etc., to promote conservation and access of plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge. These policies also promote benefit sharing arising out of the utilization of these resources as well as prevent the misuse of plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge through intellectual property protection.