Pathogens and the Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity

          Some nations have argued that the recent Nagoya Protocol of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) includes pathogens. The inclusion of pathogens in the Nagoya Protocol could adversely affect the world’s ability to control outbreaks of infectious disease.  The following reasons demonstrate why pathogens are not and should not be included in the Nagoya Protocol.

Contrary to the Mission of the CBD:

  1. “The conservation of biological diversity,
  2. The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and
  3. The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.” 


  • The objective for preventing pathogen-borne illness is to eliminate and not conserve the pathogen.  Therefore, conserving and sustaining pathogens seems like a tenuous application in light of the first two objectives of the CBD.  


  • Some might argue that pathogens fall under the 3rd objective, addressed by the Nagoya Protocol.  However, analyzing the 3rd objective requires consideration of the other two objectives.  Benefit sharing is intrinsically linked to those genetic resources worthy of protection and sustainable use.  The following points clarify why the Nagoya Protocol does not cover pathogens.


 Nagoya Protocol Language

Mindful of the International Health Regulations (2005) of the World Health Organization and the importance of ensuring access to human pathogens for public health preparedness and response purposes.”  

  • The reference to the World Health Organization and the importance of access to pathogens indicates the intent that the WHO, not the CBD, is the place to address human pathogens.  


  •  In fact, the clause reinforces the idea that access, not benefit, is paramount in an outbreak of infectious disease.  The CBD recognizes that WHO has the appropriate level of technical expertise and experience to handle pathogen access issues.   


  • Some might argue Article 8(b) implies the inclusion of pathogens in the Protocol. 

Parties must “pay due regard to cases of present or imminent emergencies that threaten or damage human, animal, or plant health, as determined nationally or internationally.  Parties may take into consideration the need for expeditious access to genetic resources and expeditious fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of such genetic resources, including access to affordable treatments by those in need, especially in developing countries.” 

  • If Article 8(b) were interpreted to include pathogens, the language “the need for expeditious access to genetic resources” in times of emergencies strongly argues for the circumvention or inapplicability of access and benefit sharing laws to pathogens.


Applying the Protocol to Pathogens is highly problematic

  • Interpreting the Nagoya Protocol to include pathogens creates numerous practical and policy problems. 


  • Prior drafts both included and excluded pathogens in the Protocol indicating no agreement on the inclusion of pathogens.  Including pathogens would be a disingenuous reading of the intent of the contracting parties.


  • How do you identify the origin of a pathogen?  Pathogens are not bound by geography, quickly spreading globally by infected persons traveling on airplanes or infected birds flying across borders.  How can we identify who owns the next HIV clade, SARS virus, or the next variation of any pathogen?    


  • Infectious disease outbreaks require instantaneous action.  Any delay caused by nations negotiating ‘fair’ prices for pathogens harms both the local and global population needing immediate protection. 


  • Including pathogens in an access and benefit sharing system rewards bad luck.  The designers of the Nagoya Protocol sought to create a monetary incentive to conserve biodiversity and sustainability; not to create a system that allows nations to profit from misfortune. 

BIO’s take on the CBD Nagoya Protocol

After several years of negotiations, the 10th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) successfully adopted the Nagoya Protocol.  The Protocol provides benefits to the biotechnology industry by creating a legal framework to regulate access to genetic resources and provide fair and equitable sharing of benefits.  In addition, the Protocol does not apply retroactively or hinder regulation or a country’s intellectual property systems.  Assuming nations implement the Protocol appropriately, we can meet the joint goals of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. 

The biotechnology community recognizes several important aspects of the Protocol.

Mutually Agreed Terms

Article 4.1 creates the obligation to share benefits on mutually agreed terms between the provider and user of genetic resources.  Both parties will understand their rights and obligations regarding the transfer of genetic resources which will create a synergetic relationship.


The Protocol recognizes the need to access genetic resources to respond to imminent emergencies that threaten or damage human, animal or plant health.  Article 6(b) answers these needs by ensuring national access and benefit sharing (“ABS”) requirements do not impede a response to a public health crisis.


Those Parties requiring prior informed consent must take legislative, administrative or other policy measures to provide legal clarity and transparency under the Protocol.  Article 5.2 requires a “clear and transparent written decision” in a reasonable time.  These requirements enable biotechnology companies to comply with national access and benefit sharing laws. 


The Protocol appears to be prospective and applies only to genetic resources transferred after the entry into force of the Protocol.  This particular provision however, is a bit unclear and will require more study, particularly during the implementation phase.  Retroactive application would create widespread uncertainty and litigation and should be avoided.

Intellectual Property Laws/Marketing Approval

The Protocol does not create new rules or laws for intellectual property or for marketing approval for new products.  Article 13.1(a) provides for checkpoints which will help monitor the collection of information providing transparency and respect for mutually agreed terms. 

The Nagoya Protocol represents a series of compromises with many provisions in the text still unclear.  As a result, BIO will monitor the national implementation of the Protocol and the implementation of the “global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism” used for genetic resources existing in transboundary situations or where no prior informed consent is obtainable. (Article 7 bis)  However, we believe that the successful implementation of the Protocol is likely to result in positive relationships between the biotechnology industry, governments, and other stakeholders.