In collaboration with the ARC Centres of Excellence in Plant Success and Synthetic Biology, the ARC Laureate Project team launched best practice guidelines for scientists working with genetic resources.
Australian laws that regulate the collection, transfer, and use of genetic resources are fragmented and incomplete, creating challenges not only for researchers but also for Indigenous Australians and other access providers. Uncertainty over laws and procedures hampers access to genetic resources, slows and limits research, undermines product development, and restricts the sharing of benefits.
These Guidelines offer scientists working with genetic resources a framework that addresses the limitations and inconsistencies of Australian law. By applying the Guidelines scientists will benefit from a clear, uniform approach that:
- Recognises the rights and interests of those who provide access to genetic resources, including Indigenous Australians who have long been stewards of these resources.
- Streamlines access, use, and transfer of genetic resources to facilitate research while ensuring compliance with international, national, and local regulations.
- Reduces administrative and legal complexities in access and benefit-sharing processes, creating a more predictable environment for research.
Research partners
