Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 10
Towards Best Practice for Benefit
Sharing Involving Access to Human
Biological Resources: Conclusions and
Recommendations
Doris Schroeder and Julie Cook Lucas
Abstract
Scientific advancement without benefit sharing is unjust. Those who
believe that every human being has a right to share in the fruits of science will
apply this claim universally. While we fully support the universal human right to
benefit from scientific research, there is an urgent need to deal with the potential
exploitation of resource providers and research participants. Therefore, in this
topic we have taken a narrower position: those who
contribute
to the advancement
of science need to receive a
benefit in return
. This chapter gives our conclusions
and recommendations.
Keywords
Beneit sharing • Human Genetic Resources • Justice • Developing
Countries • Traditional Knowledge
10.1 Introduction
Scientific advancement without benefit sharing is unjust. Those who believe that
every human being has a right to share in the fruits of science will apply this claim
universally.
1
While we fully support the universal human right to benefit from sci-
entific research, there is an urgent need to deal with the potential exploitation of
1
Article 27(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN
1948
) reads: 'Everyone has
the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share
in scientific advancement and its benefits.'
D. Schroeder (
*
)
UCLAN, Centre for Professional Ethics, Brook 317, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
e-mail: dschroeder@uclan.ac.uk
J. C. Lucas
e-mail: jmlucas@uclan.ac.uk
