Bioprospecting

Bioprospecting

Presented by R. Bharathi Rathinam

What is Bioprospecting?• Bioprospecting, also known as biodiversity

prospecting, is the exploration of biological material for commercially valuable genetic and biochemical properties.

• In simple terms this means the investigation of living things to see how they can be commercially useful to humans.

• When biodiversity or related knowledge is collected without permission from the owners of these resources and then patented, it is known as biopiracy.

• Traditional or indigenous knowledge (IK).

Concept of Bioprospecting• Extreme environments, provide habitats for

“extremophiles”, organisms with unique characteristics developed for survival.

• The biological processes and materials which enable these extremophiles to survive in extreme temperatures, pressures, salinity etc, and other unique conditions are sources of great potential for scientific advancement and commercial application.

• These Enzymes derived from extremophiles have been used in detergents, food processing, cleaning, dyeing, medical diagnosis, skin protection products, and forensics.

• Bioprospecting of marine environments is conducted almost exclusively in regions at extreme depths specifically around submarine trenches, cold seeps, seamounts and hydrothermal vents.

Examples • Thermus aquaticus – PCR• Aequorea victoria – GFP for glofish• Antarctic ice fish – anti freeze protein• LAL - Limulus amebocyte lysate (Rapid

microbiological test)

Why is it needed?• The underlying aim of bio prospecting is to

find new resources and products from nature that can be used by humans.

• Improving human health, through both medicine and better nutrition are key focal areas.

• It plays a dominant role in discovering leads for drug development, since existing/known compounds for developing drugs for human use are limited.

• A study showed that between 1983 and 2003, almost two thirds of anti-cancer agents being investigated as drug candidates were derived from natural products..

• Other related sectors, such as crop plant biotechnology, screen natural resources for useful traits, such as disease resistance.

Where?• Although bioprospecting can happen wherever

there is biodiversity, it tends to be focused where biodiversity is at its richest, as this raises the chances of finding something useful.

• Statistically, the chance of a successful “hit” is one in 10,000 for synthetic compounds and one in 30,000 or 40,000 for natural products.

• Extreme environments and unique ecological niches are also good sources for diversity, such as Antarctica. Yet, only a tiny fraction of the world’s biodiversity has actually been explored and the richest areas of biodiversity tend to be in developing countries.

Process of Bioprospecting• As a process, it generally consists of four phases:• Phase 1: on-site collection of samples;• Phase 2: isolation, charactisation and culture of

specific compounds;• Phase 3: screening for potential uses, such as

pharmaceutical or other uses; and,• Phase 4: product development and

commercialisation, including patenting, trials, sales and marketing.

• Pharmaceutical, agribusiness (biotechnology, seed, crop protection and horticulture), cosmetic and personal care, fragrance, botanicals, and the food and beverage industries.

• The pharmaceutical and agri-business sectors are more involved.

• Natural products research is very resource intensive – requiring lots of money, people and expertise, making large companies reluctant to get involved again significantly.

Sea Squirt and Spiny dogfish • Ecteinascidin 743 and Aplidinen isolated from the

Sea Squirt Ecteinascidia turbinate from the Carribean Sea are undergoing trials for use as an anti cancer medication.

• Squalamine isolated from the Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is an antibiotic substance under development.

Tunicates• Aplidine,isolated from the Mediterranean

tunicate, Aplidium albicans, has shown activity against certain types of tumor.

Added potential environmental impacts of Bioprospecting

• In situ experiments in and around the Deep Seabed can introduce light and noise or change water temperature, which, in-turn, can affect procreation and the survival of organisms in these areas.

• Bioprospecting activities can also produce pollution in the form of debris or discharge from vessels and equipment.

• Additionally, inadvertant movement of organisms through disrupting currents or discarding of scientific samples can lead to biological contamination.

• Finally, there is the usual possibility of over-exploitation in harvesting organisms in these regions and the flow on environmental impacts.

Key issues & challenges• Conservation versus exploitation: Conservation is not always the top priority of nations, and some seek to make a quick profit from their natural resources rather than preserving them. As a result, the biodiversity they wish to exploit is disappearing.

• Lack of legal clarity: There is a need for clearer, more specific rules on how origins of samples and IK are recorded and their benefits shared, both nationally and abroad. The commercial benefit should be accrue to those who discovered the active ingredient or the biotech company able to identify/ improve on this key ingredient

• Greater sector involvement: Many sectors actively involved in bioprospecting remain ignorant of the regulations, and are committing biopiracy. Education and participation in relevant international and national discussions is needed to ensure regulation across all sectors.

A comprehensive bioprospecting policy

• Legislation and regulation: Appropriate legislation and regulations are the basis for implementation of the policy, and are needed in order to make it enforceable. Probably the most crucial issue to be addressed is regulation of access to biological resources, and to the associated knowledge. Legislation and regulations should (i) ensure that clear conditions and procedures govern access to genetic resources, (ii) make access subject to written agreement based on prior informed consent and (iii) require fair and equitable sharing of the benefits. Enforcement is needed to ensure that the handling of genetic resources, both by nationals and foreigners, is consistent with the national policies and laws.•

• Benefit sharing mechanisms: a mechanism for benefit sharing should be developed. Benefits should be distributed fairly and equitably among all parties concerned, including local communities, indigenous groups, universities, etc. • Capacity building: building technological capacity, including the capacity to innovate, is important in order to increase the possibilities to add value to genetic resources, thus generating greater social and economic benefits. Similarly, education and training are needed to encourage the protection of biodiversity. Institutional development should also be included in capacity building efforts.

• Financing: obviously, sources of funding will have to be identified for the development and implementation of the policy. Often, the process of formulating a policy is as important as its contents, since it can generate commitment and thereby facilitate implementation.

• • Assessment or situation analysis: a sound assessment of relevant aspects, notably the opportunities, needs, resources and capacities of a country to make sustainable use of its biological and genetic resources should be the basis for developing an appropriate policy and for devising sound strategies on bio prospecting and access. National capacity should also be assessed in order to make optimal use of existing opportunities.

• •

• • Monitoring and evaluation: procedures for monitoring and evaluation should be put in place, so that progress -or the lack thereof- can be assessed. Moreover, this will allow for adjustment of policy goals and strategies as and when needed.

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