Diverse views surface at biodiversity talks<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After a cordial opening day, divergent
\nviewpoints began to surface at international talks on
\nbiodiversity on the second day of the conference yesterday.<\/p>\n
There was disagreement on virtually all issues discussed, from
\ntechnology transfer, regulations on biotechnology, genetic
\nengineering, patent rights and technological cooperation.<\/p>\n
Many delegates of the Second Conference of Parties to the
\nConvention of Biodiversity said they supported a \"clearing house
\nmechanism\" for scientific and technical cooperation.<\/p>\n
However, \"developed countries fear it could be used for access
\nto certain technologies without respecting intellectual property
\nrights\" of private companies, said the executive secretary to the
\nConvention on Biodiversity, Calestous Juma.<\/p>\n
The Convention, issued at the 1992 Earth Summit in Brazil,
\nencourages cooperation in the transfer of technology to conserve
\nnatural resources.<\/p>\n
The head of the United States delegation, Rafe Pomerance, said
\nthe technological transfer methods would be supported by U.S.
\nindustries.<\/p>\n
Colombia, however, said that genetic resources and traditional
\nknowledge should be protected.<\/p>\n
\"We do not agree that such information.. should be
\ndisseminated before adequate rules of access and protection are
\nadopted by the Parties,\" read the Colombia position stated in a
\nconference document.<\/p>\n
Conference chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja of Indonesia,
\ncommenting on the different perspectives, said the delegates were
\nstill \"in an early position\" and that they have until Nov. 17 to
\nresolve the differences.<\/p>\n
Another controversy developed over international procedures
\nfor genetic engineering, or \"biosafety protocols.\"<\/p>\n
Both sides of the argument were putting out leaflets to
\npresent points to delegates and the media.<\/p>\n
One statement against such binding regulations came from the
\nNetherlands-based Green Industry Biotechnology Platform, which
\nsaid that strict regulations on biotechnology would
\n\"unnecessarily deny and delay enjoyment of health, agriculture
\nand environmental benefits of new biotechnology in the developing
\nworld.\"<\/p>\n
More votes in favor of the protocols came from 37 NGOs from 11
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
\"The developed countries once opposed now seem willing to
\naccept negotiations, provided the scope is so narrow and weak
\nthat it no way interferes with their industrial goals,\" it said.<\/p>\n
Pomerance, the U.S. Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of
\nState, denied the suggestions that biotechnology industries are
\nbehind the U.S. opposition to biosafety.<\/p>\n
Responding to the conference call for all parties to ratify
\nthe Convention on Biodiversity, Pomerance also denied that
\nindustries are influencing the U.S. against ratification.<\/p>\n
The U.S. has not ratified it because \"some senators are not
\nsupportive of biodiversity\", he said.<\/p>\n
The industries, he added, are in favor of ratification because
\n\"we could be more active as (contracting) parties instead of
\nobservers.\" (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/diverse-views-surface-at-biodiversity-talks-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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