PRESERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF NATURAL BIODIVERSITY IN CONTEXT OF SEARCH FOR ECONOMICALLY VALUABLE MEDICINAL BIOTA

Natural products remain excellent sources of leads in the search for n ovel medicaments for the treatment of diseases. The largest present un derexplored source of such materials lies in tropical and subtropical regions. In these areas a long tradition of ethnobotanical medicine of ten exists with which to guide laboratory experimentation, but the fin ds, equipment and necessary expertise is often lacking. The divergence between availability and the means with which to develop provides the basis for significant disagreements over the value to be placed on ea ch party's contribution and represents a factor which inhibits the dev elopment of these materials for mankind's benefit. Various scientific societies. governmental agencies, industries, groups and individuals h ave advanced their views, but confounding features have prevented the emergence of an amicable consensus. The rapid rate with which biota an disappearing has increased the urgency of the need to find solutions to the problems which remain. IUPAC has considered a number of declara tions on the subject, particularely the Manila Declaration of 1992 and the Melaka Accord of 1994, which are reproduced in an appendix, and h as made several recommendations it believes should be considered by pa rticipants when promulgating declarations and enacting legislation on the topic. This position paper sets forth IUPAC's views on the subject for the guidance of its members and affiliated organizations and is n ot itself a declaration nor does it adopt by reference any particular declaration.