Utilization Of Genetic Resources Research Articles

A Comparative Metabolomics Study of the Potential Marker Compounds in Feces from Different Hybrid Offspring of Huainan Pigs

As a notable native Chinese genetic population, the Huainan pig has an exceptional meat quality but a low percentage of lean meat and subpar genetic performance. To better exploit the superior genetic traits of the Huainan pig and address knowledge gaps regarding the optimization of its hybrid offspring, this study used Huainan pigs as the maternal line and bred them with Yorkshire, Landrace, and Berkshire sires. This approach produced three hybrid combinations: Yorkshire × Huainan (YH), Landrace × Huainan (LH), and Berkshire × Huainan (BH). The body size, fat ratio, and average backfat thickness of these hybrid progeny were evaluated under the same feeding management and nutritional circumstances. The results revealed that the average backfat thickness of YH was significantly lower than that of LH and BH. In order to better understand the causes of these variations, fecal samples were taken from three pigs in each group for metabolomic analysis. A total of 2291 metabolites were identified, including benzene derivatives (16.6%), amino acids and their metabolites (14.5%), and organic acids (13.4%), with pyruvaldehyde and norethindrone acetate elevated in YH compared to LH and BH. In addition, the three hybrid pig groups commonly exhibited differences in the “glycerophospholipid metabolism” pathway. This variation may also contribute to differences in their fat ratio and backfat thickness. Our findings provide a novel perspective on the role of hybrid vigor in advancing the genetic population of Huainan pigs, while also revealing the unique metabolic characteristics of the YH with regard to fat deposition. This study is expected to enhance the conservation and effective utilization of genetic resources within the Huainan pig population.

The challenges in the utilization of marine genetic resources in national and international jurisdictions from a legal perspective

This article examines the legal challenges associated with the utilization of marine genetic resources (MGR) at both the national level and beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The legal challenges addressed are as follows: 1) MGR are located across various jurisdictions, encompassing both national and international domains. The analysis starts with an overview of the international regulations that govern the utilization of genetic resources (GR) and their influence on national legislation. It emphasizes the principle of state sovereignty over natural resources while defining MGR and determining ownership; 2) It further highlights the intersection of national and international laws, particularly in transboundary contexts and within Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples (IADP) territories, analyzing how these regulations are interpreted and applied in such scenarios; 3) The legal challenges related to the use of MGR in international waters are examined. Special emphasis is placed on the recent United Nations (UN) Agreement concerning this issue. This includes an analysis of its impact and specific provisions related to the utilization of MGR, such as the quantity to be collected, the methodology employed, collection sites, among others. The article concludes by asserting that the equitable distribution of benefits from the use of GR should begin at the earliest stages of access to these resources, including project planning and sample collection, rather than being delayed until the patenting and commercialization phases. Early benefit-sharing is essential for promoting fairness and equity in the use of MGR.

Analysis of genetic diversity and genetic structure of indigenous chicken populations in Guizhou province based on genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism markers

Guizhou province in China is rich in indigenous chicken breeds, playing an essential role in the genetic improvement of modern chickens. Genetic diversity has decreased in recent decades due to accelerated breeding processes and changing conservation priorities. To determine the genetic diversity and population structure of Guizhou indigenous chicken breeds, we used 55K genotyping arrays to conduct population genetic analysis on 233 individuals from 8 Guizhou indigenous breeds and 263 individuals from 9 Guizhou indigenous chicken populations. We evaluated the genetic diversity parameter (heterozygosity, proportion of polymorphic markers, and nucleotide diversity), linkage disequilibrium (LD), population structure, and genetic differentiation (FST and genetics distance). Genetic diversity results indicated that the genetic diversity of chicken breeds in Guizhou province is relatively affluent. Among Guizhou breeds, Baiyi black-bone and Guizhou yellow chicken displayed the lowest genetic diversity, as the 2 breeds exhibit lower PN and heterozygosity, the extent of linkage disequilibrium is higher. According to the LD pattern, Guizhou indigenous breeds can be divided into 3 categories. Population structure analysis showed a certain degree of genetic differentiation among local chickens in Guizhou. We argue that Chishui black-bone and Puan black-bone chickens are 2 different geographical regional groups of the same breed. In principal component analysis, individuals from the 2 groups clustered together, and the phylogenetic tree results showed that the 2 groups clustered together to form a branch independent of other breeds, and they displayed an identical pattern of ancestral lineage composition. The research results will provide a reference for protecting local chicken genetic resources in Guizhou Province and promote the protection and utilization of genetic resources.

Multivariate analysis of herd structure and genetic resource indicators in seedstock beef cattle herds.

Genetic, environmental, technological and financial resources are used differently in cattle herds that participate in the same breeding programme. The percentages of calves sired by sires within their own herd or from external herds vary across herds, as do the intensities of use of reproductive biotechnologies. These divergences may be related to differences in the indicators of genetic performance for economic traits. The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to herd structure and genetic resource utilization that exert the greatest influence on the genetic merit of seedstock herds within a Nellore breeding programme. The database comprised 21 factors, along with genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) for growth, reproductive and carcass traits, as well as a selection index of animals from 128 herds. By combining principal component analysis and cluster analysis, we were able to group the herds. We identified statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean values of the factors, GE-EPDs and genetic trends among the groups of herds. Differences in the percentage of sires from external herds and in sire age between the groups of herds were the factors most associated with differences in mean GE-EPDs and genetic trends. Using young sires from other herds or lineages is an effective strategy in animal breeding. By enhancing genetic variability, this approach does not only improve the genetic quality of herds but also accelerates genetic progress in desired traits over time. Therefore, to ensure the success of this strategy, it is crucial that seedstock herds undergo a thorough selection process aimed at maximizing the genetic potential of future generations of beef cattle.

Population structure and selection signal analysis of indigenous sheep from the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert

Analyzing the genetic diversity and selection characteristics of sheep (Ovis aries) holds significant value in understanding their environmental adaptability, enhancing breeding efficiency, and achieving effective conservation and rational utilization of genetic resources. In this study, we utilized Illumina Ovine SNP 50 K BeadChip data from four indigenous sheep breeds from the southern margin of the Taklamakan Desert (Duolang sheep: n = 36, Hetian sheep: n = 74, Kunlun sheep: n = 27, Qira black sheep: n = 178) and three foreign meat sheep breeds (Poll Dorset sheep: n = 105, Suffolk sheep: n = 153, Texel sheep: n = 150) to investigate the population structure, genetic diversity, and genomic signals of positive selection within the indigenous sheep. According to the Principal component analysis (PCA), the Neighbor-Joining tree (NJ tree), and Admixture, we revealed distinct clustering patterns of these seven sheep breeds based on their geographical distribution. Then used Cross Population Extended Haplotype Homozygosity (XP-EHH), Fixation Index (FST), and Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS), we identified a collective set of 32 overlapping genes under positive selection across four indigenous sheep breeds. These genes are associated with wool follicle development and wool traits, desert environmental adaptability, disease resistance, reproduction, and high-altitude adaptability. This study reveals the population structure and genomic selection characteristics in the extreme desert environments of native sheep breeds from the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, providing new insights into the conservation and sustainable use of indigenous sheep genetic resources in extreme environments. Additionally, these findings offer valuable genetic resources for sheep and other mammals to adapt to global climate change.

Exploring crop genomics: role of molecular markers in identifying genetic diversity and characterization

and facilitating germplasm characterization for crop improvement. Understanding and harnessing crop genetic diversity are paramount with the escalating demand for sustainable agricultural practices and the need to address global food security challenges. Molecular markers have emerged as powerful tools enabling precise identification, characterization, and utilization of genetic resources for crop enhancement. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of various molecular marker techniques, encompassing DNA-based markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), as well as RNA-based markers like expression sequence tags (ESTs) and microRNAs. By elucidating genetic relationships, population structure, and phylogenetic analysis, these markers facilitate the conservation and utilization of crop germplasm. Moreover, the review highlights recent advancements in high-throughput genotyping technologies and bioinformatics tools, which have revolutionized crop genomic research. These advancements enable comprehensive genome-wide analyses, accelerating breeding efforts for the development of improved crop varieties with enhanced traits such as yield, quality, and stress tolerance. Integration of molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) into breeding programs further enhances the efficiency and precision of crop improvement strategies. Despite the significant contributions of molecular markers to crop genomics, challenges persist. The review addresses these challenges and discusses potential solutions, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts, data sharing, and interdisciplinary research endeavors. By overcoming these hurdles, the agricultural community can fully harness the potential of genomics for sustainable crop improvement, thus addressing global food security challenges in the face of changing environmental conditions and population growth. In conclusion, understanding the role of molecular markers in crop genomics is crucial for optimizing breeding strategies, conserving genetic resources, and developing resilient crop varieties to meet the demands of a growing population and ensure food security in a changing world.

Whole-genome resequencing reveals genetic diversity and adaptive evolution in Chinese honeybee (Apis cerana cerana) in Guizhou, China.

Introduction: Guizhou Province, characterized by complex and diverse geographic and climatic environments, has rich genetic resources for the Chinese honeybee (Apis cerana cerana) and is one of the main bee-producing areas in China. However, research on the genetic diversity of Chinese honeybee in the Guizhou region is very limited, despite implications for conservation of biodiversity. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity, differentiation, and selection signals based on 116 Chinese honeybees from 12 regions in Guizhou Province using whole-genome sequencing. Results: We identified 1,400,430 high-quality SNPs across all samples. A population structure analysis revealed two independent genetic subgroups of Chinese honeybees in Guizhou, a Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau population in western Guizhou and a hilly-mountainous population in eastern Guizhou. The average nucleotide diversity (Pi) ranged from 0.00138 to 0.00161 and average expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.2592 to 0.2604. The average genetic differentiation index (F ST) for Chinese honeybees in pairwise comparisons of 12 regions ranged from 0.0094 to 0.0293. There was clear genetic differentiation between the western plateau and the eastern hilly mountainous areas of Guizhou; however, F ST values between the eastern and western populations ranged from 0.0170 to 0.0293, indicating a low degree of differentiation. A genome-wide scan revealed a number of genes under selection in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau environment. These genes were related to growth and development, reproduction, and cold resistance, and several candidate genes involved in environmental adaptation were identified, including CTR, MAPK, MAST, HSF, and MKKK. Discussion: The results of the present study provide important theoretical bases for the conservation, evaluation, development, and utilization of genetic resources for Chinese honeybees in the Guizhou region and for further investigations of environmental adaptation and underlying mechanisms in the species.

Unleashing the potential of millets: a comprehensive review of its nutritional, therapeutic, and genomic attributes

Millets are cereal grains whose farming dates back thousands of years and have been farmed and consumed by a wide variety of cultures around the world. In recent times, there has been a growing interest in millets due to their medicinal characteristics and nutritional advantages. Millets have a substantial nutritional content and can provide a wide range of beneficial health effects. These foods have a relatively low glycemic index in addition to their high levels of dietary fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. In this review, the most recent information regarding the potential effects of millets on the management of diabetes, the health of the heart, antioxidant activity, anti-cancer capacities, and other therapeutic benefits is investigated. In addition, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the current genome resources that are associated with millets, as well as a summary of the key genetic discoveries that have been made. The report also emphasizes the need for further research to maximize the potential of millets through the utilization of genetic resources and breeding techniques to develop high-nutrient-rich and climate-resilient varieties.

Identification and analysis of MAPK cascade gene families of Camellia oleifera and their roles in response to cold stress.

Low-temperature severely limits the growth and development of Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade plays a key role in the response to cold stress. Our study aims to identify MAPK cascade genes in C. oleifera and reveal their roles in response to cold stress. In our study, we systematically identified and analyzed the MAPK cascade gene families of C. oleifera, including their physical and chemical properties, conserved motifs, and multiple sequence alignments. In addition, we characterized the interacting networks of MAPKK kinase (MAPKKK)-MAPK kinase (MAPKK)-MAPK in C. oleifera. The molecular mechanism of cold stress resistance of MAPK cascade genes in wild C. oleifera was analyzed by differential gene expression and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). In this study, 21 MAPKs, 4 MAPKKs and 55 MAPKKKs genes were identified in the leaf transcriptome of C. oleifera. According to the phylogenetic results, MAPKs were divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D), MAPKKs were divided into 3 groups (A, B and D), and MAPKKKs were divided into 2 groups (MEKK and Raf). Motif analysis showed that the motifs in each subfamily were conserved, and most of the motifs in the same subfamily were basically the same. The protein interaction network based on Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) homologs revealed that MAPK, MAPKK, and MAPKKK genes were widely involved in C. oleifera growth and development and in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Gene expression analysis revealed that the CoMAPKKK5/CoMAPKKK43/CoMAPKKK49-CoMAPKK4-CoMAPK8 module may play a key role in the cold stress resistance of wild C. oleifera at a high-elevation site in Lu Mountain (LSG). This study can facilitate the mining and utilization of genetic resources of C. oleifera with low-temperature tolerance.

Unraveling genomic diversity and positive selection signatures of Qaidam cattle through whole-genome re-sequencing.

Qaidam cattle are a typical Chinese native breed inhabiting northwest China. They bear the characteristics of high cold and roughage tolerance, low-oxygen adaptability and good meat quality. To analyze the genetic diversity of Qaidam cattle, 60 samples were sequenced using whole-genome resequencing technology, along with 192 published sets of whole-genome sequencing data of Indian indicine cattle, Chinese indicine cattle, North Chinese cattle breeds, East Asian taurine cattle, Eurasian taurine cattle and European taurine cattle as controls. It was found that Qaidam cattle have rich genetic diversity in Bos taurus, but the degree of inbreeding is also high, which needs further protection. The phylogenetic analysis, principal component analysis and ancestral component analysis showed that Qaidam cattle mainly originated from East Asian taurine cattle. Qaidam cattle had a closer genetic relationship with the North Chinese cattle breeds and the least differentiation from Mongolian cattle. Annotating the selection signals obtained by composite likelihood ratio, nucleotide diversity analysis, integrated haplotype score, genetic differentiation index, genetic diversity ratio and cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity methods, several genes associated with immunity, reproduction, meat, milk, growth and adaptation showed strong selection signals. In general, this study provides genetic evidence for understanding the germplasm characteristics of Qaidam cattle. At the same time, it lays a foundation for the scientific and reasonable protection and utilization of genetic resources of Chinese local cattle breeds, which has great theoretical and practical significance.

Application of machine learning in in vitro propagation of endemic Lilium akkusianum R. Gämperle.

A successful regeneration protocol was developed for micropropagation of Lilium akkusianum R. Gämperle, an endemic species of Türkiye, from scale explants. The study also aimed to evaluate the effects of Meta-Topolin (mT) and N6-Benzyladenine (BA) on in vitro regeneration. The Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with different levels of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)/BA and NAA/mT were used for culture initiation in the darkness. The highest callus rates were observed on explants cultured on MS medium with 2.0 mg/L NAA + 0.5 mg/L mT (83.31%), and the highest adventitious bud number per explant was 4.98 in MS medium with 0.5 mg/L NAA + 1.5 mg/L mT. Adventitious buds were excised and cultured in 16/8 h photoperiod conditions. The highest average shoot number per explant was 4.0 in MS medium with 2.0 mg/L mT + 1.0 mg/L NAA. Shoots were rooted with the highest rate (90%) in the medium with the 1.0 mg/L IBA, and the highest survival rate (87.5%) was recorded in rooted shoots in the same medium. The ISSR marker system showed that regenerated plantlets were genetically stable. Besides traditional tissue culture techniques used in the current study, the potential for improving the effectiveness of L. akkusianum propagation protocols by incorporating machine learning methodologies was evaluated. ML techniques enhance lily micropropagation by analyzing complex biological processes, merging with traditional methods. This collaborative approach validates current protocols, allowing ongoing improvements. Embracing machine learning in endemic L. akkusianum studies contributes to sustainable plant propagation, promoting conservation and responsible genetic resource utilization in agriculture.

Morphometric diversity of some Nigerian accessions of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)

AbstractThis study evaluated the morphological diversity of some Nigerian accessions of Bambara groundnut. Field experiments were conducted in Nigeria in two locations and the phenotypic variation of Bambara groundnut accessions evaluated in 3 years (2017–2020) using a randomized complete block design. Twenty-eight quantitative and 10 qualitative traits were observed. Twenty-three out of the 28 quantitative morphological traits showed significant differences. TVSu-589 (28.85) and TVSu-670 (28.57) had the highest plant height; TVSu-572 (121.52), TVSu-271 (113.10) and TVSu-336 (104.15) had the highest 100-seed weight. Genetic variations were also observed in seed colour, terminal leaflet shape, petiole colour and eye pattern. Principal component analysis showed PC1 constituting 23.36% and PC2 constituting 15.76% of the total variation, while the first eight principal components with eigenvalues ≥1 revealed 77.28% of the total variation. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into four groups. Based on yield data in this study, accessions TVSu-594, TVSu-350, TVSu-336, TVSu-1242, TVSu-129, TVSu-14, TVSu-179, TVSu-2100, TVSu-261 and TVSu-589 were the best for yield and are recommended for further evaluation to improve yield. This study showed that a wide range of diversity exists in Bambara groundnut of Nigerian origin that could be useful for further utilization of genetic resources and improvement.

Loving the Alien: The Contribution of the Wild in Securing the Breeding of Cultivated Hexaploid Wheat and Oats

Cereal production is of strategic importance to the world economy. Although the primary aim of breeding programs is to develop cultivars with improved agronomic performance, including high grain yield and grain quality, as well as disease and lodging resistance, nowadays the adaptability to changing environmental conditions seems to be an extremely important feature. The achievement of these breeding objectives in diploid cereal species such as rice, barley, or maize is straightforward. The genetic improvement of polyploid crops such as hexaploid wheat and oats for increased crop production is highly demanding. Progenitor species and wild relatives, including taxa at lower ploidy levels, have preserved a high degree of useful genetic variation. The world’s genebank collections of wheat and oat germplasm provide extremely rich resources for future breeding and utilization. This review highlights the immense potential of cultivated wild relatives as donors of genes for a wide range of biotic and abiotic traits and their impact on wheat and oat breeding. This review covers methods allowing access to these genetic resources, and it highlights the most (and most recently)-exploited related species for gene introgression in wheat and oats. Further, it will also deal with the impact of genomics and cloned genes on the advanced discovery, characterization, and utilization of genetic resources in these two cereals.

Pleistocene-dated genomic divergence of avocado trees supports cryptic diversity in the Colombian germplasm

Genomic characterization of ex situ plant collections optimizes the utilization of genetic resources by identifying redundancies among accessions, capturing cryptic variation, establishing reference collections, and ultimately assisting pre-breeding and breeding efforts. Yet, the integration of evolutionary genomic analyses is often lacking when studying the biodiversity of crop gene pools. Such is the case in the avocado, Persea americana Mill., an iconic American fruit tree crop that has seen an unprecedented expansion worldwide because of its nutritional properties. However, given a very restricted number of commercial clones, avocado plantations are becoming more vulnerable to diseases and climate change. Therefore, exploring new sources of evolutionary novelty and genetic diversity beyond the commercial varieties derived from traditional genetic pools in Mexico and Central America is imperative. To fill this gap, we aimed to characterize the genomic diversity of Colombian avocado trees. Specifically, we constructed reduced representation genomic libraries to genotype by sequencing 144 accessions from the Colombian National genebank and 240 materials from local commercial orchards in the Colombian northwest Andes. We merged the resulting reads with available sequences of reference genotypes from known avocado groups (also named as races), Mexican, Guatemalan, and West Indian, to discover 4931 SNPs. We then analyzed the population structure and phylogenetic diversity, and reconstructed evolutionary scenarios, possibly leading to new genetic groups in Colombian germplasm. We detected demographic stratification despite evidence of intergroup gene flow. Besides the classical three avocado groups, we found an exclusive Colombian group with a possible genetic substructure related to the geographical origin (Andean and Caribbean). Phylogenetic and ABC demographic modeling suggested that the Colombian group evolved in the Pleistocene before human agriculture started, and its closest relative from the three recognized races would be the West Indian group. We conclude that northwest South America offers a cryptic source of allelic novelty capable of boosting avocado pre-breeding strategies to select rootstock candidates well adapted to specific eco-geographical regions in Colombia and abroad.

Utilization of genetic resources

Utilization of genetic resources

Core Germplasm Construction Based on Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity of Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) Columbus) from the Great Plains of America

Buffalograss is a valuable forage and turfgrass species native to the Great Plains of America. Utilization of genetic resources and conservation of germplasm rely on effective methods to differentiate and identify genetic differences quickly and at a relatively low cost. The lack of correlation between DNA marker-based genetic diversity and the geographic distance in buffalograss indicates that the interaction between genotype and environment needs to be evaluated. The objective of this study was to establish a core collection of buffalograss germplasm based on SRAP, then solidify the construction with important phenotypic traits. A total of 143 accessions were collected from 16 regions in 10 states of the U.S. A total of 1033 bands were scored from the 10 combinations of forward and reverse primers, of which 1031 were polymorphic within the accessions. After evaluating multiple clustering approaches, we determined that using symmetric distance (such as DMATCH, SM) in the hierarchical Ward’s method was the best clustering method, resulting in five groups. A least distance stepwise clustering approach using the simple match similarity coefficient was most efficient in creating core collections. Adding the phenotypic information and a final core collection size of 59 accessions was recommended to balance representativeness and diversity. We proposed a reverse power function for the percentage of accessions to be included in a core collection. We started at a high value for small numbers of accessions, and the percentage decreased as the accession number increased. then level off at 10% as the accession number reached 1000 and above.

Heritage genetics for adaptation to marginal soils in barley.

Future crops need to be sustainable in the face of climate change. Modern barley varieties have been bred for high productivity and quality; however, they have suffered considerable genetic erosion, losing crucial genetic diversity. This renders modern cultivars vulnerable to climate change and stressful environments. We highlight the potential to tailor crops to a specific environment by utilising diversity inherent in an adapted landrace population. Tapping into natural biodiversity, while incorporating information about local environmental and climatic conditions, allows targeting of key traits and genotypes, enabling crop production in marginal soils. We outline future directions for the utilisation of genetic resources maintained in landrace collections to support sustainable agriculture through germplasm development via the use of genomics technologies and big data.

Biodiversity COP15 - A stepping stone towards effective access and benefit sharing

Biodiversity COP15 - A stepping stone towards effective access and benefit sharing Here, Dominic Muyldermans and Markus Wyss explore the opportunities and challenges on the journey towards effective access and benefit sharing across the globe. The objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1992 are the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The CBD recognizes that countries have sovereign rights over their genetic resources and already included the principles of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). These ABS principles have been further operationalized in the Nagoya Protocol, which entered into force in 2014.

Digital Sequence Information and the Access and Benefit-Sharing Obligation of the Convention on Biological Diversity

With the advent of synthetic biology, scientists are increasingly relying on digital sequence information, instead of physical genetic resources. This article examines the potential impact of this shift on the access and benefit-sharing (ABS) regime of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol. These treaties require benefit-sharing with the owners of genetic resources. However, whether “genetic resources” include digital sequence information is unsettled. The CBD conceives genetic resources as genetic material containing functional units of heredity. “Material” implies tangibility, and for some scholars, “functional units of heredity,” undefined in both treaties, mean full-coding sequences. This article argues that digital sequence information obtained from physical genetic resources, full-coding or not, should be treated as genetic resources. Literal construction of the CBD risks eroding its usefulness and the ABS regime. This is because through bioinformatics, sequence information can easily be obtained from genetic resources for utilization, without physically moving them or concluding ABS agreement with owners. The CBD must evolve with scientific progress also because sequence functionality depends on the state of knowledge. These arguments are vindicated by domestic ABS laws equating genetic information with genetic resources; Nagoya Protocol provisions deeming research exploiting the genetic composition of genetic resources as utilization of genetic resources; and CBD provisions requiring the sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources. Moreover, treaty interpretation and case law demand that generic, scientific terms, such as “genetic resources” and “functional units of heredity” be interpreted in an evolutionary manner to capture scientific developments.

Research on Intellectual Property Right Protection of Genetic Resources in China Under Benefit-Sharing

Genetic resources are the foundation for the development of the life science industry, and benefit-sharing is internationally defined as an important regime for the use of genetic resources for all mankind's benefit. In the strategy of strengthening intellectual property rights (IPR), China clearly states that IPR legislation of genetic resources should be done in due course, and that the system of IPR protection of genetic resources and the system of access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing should be improved. Presently, the legislation is scattered and abstract, with insufficient operability and international integration, so it's urgent to optimize. On the one hand, it is necessary to improve China's IPR legislation of genetic resources for adapting to the development of China's genetic resources utilization technology and the practice of creation based on genetic resources, and to use IPR protection of genetic resources to restrict the illegal access of other countries to China's genetic resources through the benefit-sharing mechanism. On the other hand, the rules on prior informed consent and source disclosure in foreign countries should be taken into account, so as to prevent other countries from illegally controlling Chinese genetic resources and their derivatives under strict IPR application procedures for genetic resources.