Conservation and sustainable exploitation of plant genetic rsources: International developments

Plant Genetic Resources (PGRs) are one of the most valuable natural resources of anycountry. Biotechnology through genetic engineering of plants and the creation of new plantvarieties can increase the value of these resources. Different technical and legalmechanisms such as ex situ/in situ collection of PGRs, and Intellectual Property Rights(IPRs) indicate also an international institutional effort for sustainable use of biodiversity.Investigating international developments in the fields of exploitation and conservation ofPGRs is therefore essential. The main purpose of this manuscript is to explore criteria thatinternational legal instruments use for creating an appropriate interaction betweenconservation and exploitation of PGRs. These instruments have been especially developedin the two systems of international environmental law and intellectual property rights.Based on a descriptive analysis method, this research attempted to examine the provisionsof these two legal instruments. Research findings indicate that intellectual property rightsencourages the creation and development of green technologies, especially agrobiotechnology and protects Traditional Knowledge (TK) associated with PGRs as anappropriate tool for the sustainable exploitation of PGRs when implemented in aresponsible manner. International environmental law paves also the way for biodiversityconservation through creation of binding and non-binding obligations for preservinggenetic diversity on the planet. Sustainable conservation of PGRs requires an appropriateinteraction between the two legal systems.