Share Benefits from Genetic Resources, Digital Sequence Information and Traditional Knowledge
Take effective legal, policy, administrative and capacity-building measures at all levels, as appropriate, to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources and from digital sequence information on genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and facilitating appropriate access to genetic resources, and by 2030, facilitating a significant increase of the benefits shared, in accordance with applicable international access and benefit-sharing instruments.
Healing, Knowledge, and Justice
Biodiversity is essential for our mental well-being — for feeling that we’re connected to something larger than ourselves. But it can also heal our bodies. Since the beginning of human history, nature has supported our health and survival. For centuries, people have used leaves, roots, and other parts of plants in traditional medicine. This knowledge is powerful: aspirin was derived from willow bark, echinacea supports immunity, turmeric reduces inflammation.
The medicinal, practical, and scientific benefits of biodiversity have made our lives better. It comes as no surprise that corporations use nature to develop profitable medicines and crops. But today, the use of digital data derived from genetic resources — known as Digital Sequence Information (DSI) — raises questions of fairness and ownership.
How do we balance the benefits of open science with fair recognition and reward for the countries and communities that provide these resources and this knowledge? Who owns the physical and intellectual property of nature?
There are no simple answers. But fairness and justice have always been a struggle worth having. For many communities — especially those under economic distress — it’s heartbreaking to see their precious resources extracted and turned into massive profits they never share.
It’s easy to say that nobody owns biodiversity. But imagine someone coming into your home, taking what they need, and building a billion-dollar business — of which you never see a cent. Would that feel fair?
This target asks us to make sure our laws, policies, and practices ensure fair benefit-sharing from the use of genetic resources — including plants, animals, their DNA, traditional knowledge, and digital sequence information.
Justice is a common thread across all 23 targets of the Biodiversity Plan. This is one of the many that covers the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
*This target aligns closely with SDG Target 15.6.