Uporaba in zaščita z genskimi viri povezanega tradicionalnega znanja v mednarodnem pravu - kristalizacija novih običajnopravnih norm?

Kos, Ula Aleksandra (author), Kovič Dine, Maša (mentor)

Tradicionalno znanje avtohtonih in lokalnih skupnosti je že vsaj od 15. stoletja gonilna sila odkrivanja uporabnih učinkovin genskih virov, tj. rastlin, živali ter mikrobnih organizmov, ki so še nosilci DNK. Omenjene učinkovine dajejo zagon predvsem farmacevtski, živilski in kozmetični industriji, ki v razvitih državah preko intelektualne zaščite izdelkov, katerih proizvodnja temelji na tradicionalnem znanju, bogatijo na račun njegovih prvotnih skrbnikov. Slednje nemalokrat vodi tudi v izčrpanje naravnega vira, do katerega je znanje vodilo in od katerega so skupnosti pogosto življenjsko in kulturno odvisne. Ohlapen okvir mednarodne pogodbene zaščite nudi le šibko varstvo pred prisvajanjem in monopolizacijo tradicionalnega znanja, izvedba ukrepov zaščite pa je tako v celoti prepuščena posameznim državam. Njihovi interesi pa so seveda različni. V želji po biotehnološkem razvoju namreč države, ki tradicionalno znanje uporabljajo, težijo k čim manjši regulaciji področja, države, kjer se viri in znanje nahajajo, pa si prizadevajo področje podrobno pravno urediti, saj si želijo delitve koristi iz njihove uporabe. Vseeno pa sta skupna cilja vseh ohranitev in trajnostna raba genskih virov, ki so gradnik svetovne biološke, preko tradicionalnega znanja pa tudi kulturne raznovrstnosti. Tako je genske vire in tradicionalno znanje treba zaščititi, interese vseh vpletenih akterjev pa uravnotežiti. Magistrsko diplomsko delo rešitev problematike išče v obstoju mednarodnih običajnopravnih norm, ki so jih države, preko sprejemanja posamičnih zaščitnih ukrepov, skozi leta zgradile same. Pri tem empirično prikaže tipologijo in obseg obveznosti, ki so se kot norme običajnega prava neodvisno od mednarodnih pogodb razvijali med državami ter ponudi zaključek, da jedro mednarodne zaščite tradicionalnega znanja pravzaprav tvorita dve običajnopravni normi, ki vse države zavezujeta vsaj k omejitvi dostopa do tradicionalnega znanja, povezanega z genskimi viri, ter delitvi koristi, ki izhajajo iz njegove uporabe.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: tradicionalno znanje, genski viri, mednarodno običajno pravo, mednarodna pravna zaščita, človekove pravice, praksa držav, biološka raznovrstnost
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: PF - Faculty of Law
• Year: 2021
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-128306
• COBISS.SI-ID: 69999875
• Publication date in RUL: 08.07.2021

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Protection and utilization of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources - crystallization of new customary international norms?

Abstract

Traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities has been the leading force of bioprospecting since the 15th century. Pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industry - to name just a few - rely heavily on traditional knowledge to discover useful components of genetic resources. They aim to develop products, pursue intellectual protection and in return obtain profits. No such profits are, however, shared with the initial custodians of traditional knowledge. In addition, this often leads to exhaustion of their genetic resources, affecting traditional communities’ sustenance and their way of life. Instead of offering a comprehensive solution, international treaty protection has thus far been vague. It conferred practically no obligations upon the states and has left them with a large margin of appreciation in implementing the treaty provisions. As the interests of the states are largely asymmetric it is unsurprising that the current legal framework of traditional knowledge protection is unclear. Whilst developed states wish to facilitate access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge for the benefit of biotechnology, developing states strive towards greater regulation and wish to participate in the profits. Yet, both share a common purpose to conserve and sustainably use genetic resources as the largest sources of biodiversity and to protect traditional knowledge as part of cultural diversity. As one often implies the other this calls for international protection of both, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. In this context the master's thesis explores the argument that the solution should – rather than within framework of international treaties – be sought in customary international law. In this regard it empirically shows that the two basic obligations i.e. restriction of access and sharing of benefits from the utilization of traditional knowledge have already crystallized into legally binding norms of customary international law.

• Keywords: traditional knowledge, genetic resources, customary international law, international legal protection, human rights, state practice, biodiversity