Policy and intellectual property rights (IPR) issues related to plant genetic resources

Recent years have seen a rapid expansion in the number of programmes around the world concerned with the conservation and use of genetic resources. As a result, policies on issues such as access, ownership, intellectual property rights and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, have become of increasing concern. This has, in turn, led to the creation and adoption of several formal international agreements. As a leading international scientific and technical organization in genetic resources, IPGRI's involvement in the policy arena has expanded over the past few years in line with growing world interest.

IPGRI's objective

IPGRI's main objective in the area of genetic resources policy and legislation is to help ensure the development and adoption of sound policies and practices at the national and international levels. This is achieved through conducting appropriate studies and analyses and, based on these, providing information to those responsible for formulating policy and legislation on the scientific and technical consequences of various options.

Decisions tools

IPGRI Policy on Intellectual Property

IPGRI's Ethical Principles

Key questions for decision-makers
Protection of plant varieties under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.