U.N. Wants Rules for Bioprospecting in Antarctica

Posted by tourdemars to Life on Mars at February 1, 2004 12:00 PM

The United Nations said on Sunday rules were needed to prevent a free-for-all search for unique Antarctic organisms that can be used for pharmaceutical and other commercial purposes. "Bioprospectors are starting to turn their attention to many of the world's last frontiers, such as hydrothermal vents, the deep seabed, the water column of the high seas and polar ice caps," said a report by UN University, headquartered in Tokyo.