Chemistry International
Vol. 22, No. 2
March 2000
New
Books and Publications
New
Publication from the Pan American Health Organization
Biodiversity, Biotechnology, and Sustainable Development
in Health and Agriculture: Emerging Connections
1998, 248 pages (English; also available in Spanish), ISBN 92-75-11560-5,
USD 32.00 (Special offer: USD 22.00); In developing countries: USD 24.00
(Special offer: USD 17.00), Order Code SP 560. PAHO Sales and Distribution
Center, P.O. Box 27, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0027, USA; E-mail:
[email protected]; Tel.: +1 301 617 7806;
Fax: +1 301 206 9789; Web site: [http://publications.paho.org/].
This publication is a compendium of articles prepared by economists,
sociologists, lawyers, biological sciences researchers, and other health
professionals that explores the connections among biodiversity, biotechnology,
and sustainable development in developing countries from the points
of view of their different professions. The book focuses on two aspects
of special interest to human health: drug discovery and improved nutrition
through advances in agriculture.
The first section discusses different bioprospecting ventures - including
the now famous agreement between Merck & Co. and Costa Rica's National
Institute for Biodiversity (INBio) - and suggests policy options for
potential host countries. Subsequent sections explore such issues as
costs, scientific and resource requirements, and economic prospects
of different drug development models; how biodiversity and biotechnology
can team up to establish a high-yield, sustainable agriculture; the
legal ramifications of intellectual property rights, fair compensation
for indigenous knowledge, and different contractual arrangements; how
to assess biodiversity's economic value; and domestic and international
policy implications of the use and conservation of biodiversity. A final
section discusses whether biodiversity - 'green gold' - will, in fact,
become Latin America's and the Caribbean's new competitive advantage.
Emerging Connections is a must-read for those setting national biodiversity
policies; teams working on the national strategies and action plans
needed to implement the Biodiversity Conference; environmentalists;
scientists and business people entertaining bioprospecting ventures;
lawyers; and nongovernmental organization (NGOs) working on health,
sustainable development, or environmental issues.