Brazilian biodiversity: Levelling the genetic resources playing field

Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity has been discussed in Brazil for the past two decades. Brazil is home to one of the largest deposits of biodiversity in the world. Ensuring the security and best use of those assets was the main objective of Provisional Act No. 2,186-16, established in 2001. The act regulated access to Brazil’s genetic resources and derived products, which are considered public property for special use within the Brazilian territory.