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Definition(s)

Bioprospecting is "the exploration of biodiversity for commercially valuable genetic and biochemical resources (Source: UNEP/CBD/COP/5/INF/7), e.g. of marine environments in regions at extreme depths in the high seas or on the deep seabed for extremophiles, organisms with unique characteristics developed for survival.

In other languages

French
bioprospection
Russian
биоразработки
Spanish
bioprospección
Arabic
تنقيب بيولوجي

Explore content

Follow up the links below to see InforMEA content related to bioprospecting coming up from several external sources.

Multilateral environment agreements tagged with bioprospecting

You can see below a list of multilateral environment agreements. Use the links on the right to view the content tagged with bioprospecting. This includes official treaty texts, decisions, recommendations, and other related informational documents such as publications, annuals, meetings, documents or reports.
Barcelona Convention
Offshore Protocol
Abidjan Convention
Noumea Convention
Cartagena Convention
Jeddah Convention

Multimedia

People, plants and profits

Rooibos Robbery: A Story of Bioprospecting in South Africa