Résumé :
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The Conference of the Parties (COP), in paragraph 11 of decision IV/6, requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), to consider and assess, in light of contributions to be provided by Parties, Governments and organisations, whether there are any consequences for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity from the development and use of new technology for the control of plant gene expression, such as described in US patent No. 5, 723, 765, and to elaborate scientifically-based advice to COP. In December 1998, the Executive Secretary therefore decided to commission a background expert paper on the assessment of the potential consequences of such technologies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The aim of the paper, which is contained in the Annex to the present document, is to assist SBSTTA in elaborating scientifically based advice to COP. It was felt that, for such an assessment, it would be necessary to recruit a multi-disciplinary team of consultants to ensure the required expertise of biotechnology, plant breeding and agronomy, intellectual property and legal aspects, as well as socio-economic issues. It was also decided to establish a review process for the draft paper to ensure contributions by experts from each geographic region and by key international organisations. In view of the nature and implications of the technology, not only in regard to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, but also in respect of (a) the ability of farmers to save and reuse seed ; (b) trends and implications concerning plant breeding and the seed sector ; and (c) the relationship between agro-industry and food security, the scientific assessment also gives due consideration to the social, economic, political and ethical implications, based on an analysis of the technology and its potential applications.This present document on the assessment is structured in three parts :PART I takes note of a number of relevant initiatives by international fora that address such technologies ; PART II, based on the expert paper, presents a number of issues for consideration and draft recommendations that SBSTTA may wish to further elaborate and develop following its consideration on this issue.The ANNEX contains the expert paper presenting the assessment. This paper uses the term "genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs)" to describe the technologies under consideration.
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