Queensland’s Biodiscovery Act 2004

• Published in: Journal of International Biotechnology Law
• Main Author: Spranger, Tade M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Walter de Gruyter GmbH 2005
• Subjects: General Medicine; Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/jibl.2005.2.4.155; https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jibl.2005.2.4.155/pdf

Abstract Background As one of the so called megadiversity countries, Australia hosts an estimated 10–13 % of the total biodiversity of the planet. Its biological resources include plants, animals and microorganisms living on land, below ground, in inland waters, and at sea. Australia’s bioregions span a range of climates from tropical to Antarctic and from dry to wet. In addition, about 75 % of Australian species are endemic. Unlike most of the other megadiversity states, the Australian industry also provides the means which are necessary to exploit plant and animal genetic resources. Currently, Australia has a relatively immature bioprospecting industry, in which only a small number of companies and organisations are involved. This situation is very likely to be changed in the foreseeable future, though.