ABSTRACTS

This lecture discussed the complex interface between standardization, IPRs and open innovation in Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology (jointly referred to as SB). This encompasses the consideration of pressing questions of innovation policy, such as whether the technological plurality of SB is compatible with the existing legislation, policies, institutional and governance frameworks for standardization and IPRs. In particular, the lecture identified actual and potential clashes between standardization efforts and IPRs and analyze how such clashes could be adressed both within the IP framework and through ”user-generated solutions”.

Access to genetic resources is linked to how states exercise sovereign rights over their resources. In the Nagoya Protocol negotiations, access was a main negotiation issue and concerns were raised that more stringent access rules could stifle research. In addition to general access provisions, Article 8 of the Protocol regulates so called ‘Special Considerations’, including non-commercial research. In the EU, a Regulation on implementation of the Nagoya Protocol governs the access issue through a ‘due diligence’ concept. This lecture described the issue of access to genetic resources for research purposes and discusses how access is governed in the Nagoya Protocol as well as in the EU Regulation on implementation.