Genetic resources (GRs) refer to genetic material of actual or
potential value. Genetic material is any material of plant,
animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of
heredity. Examples include material of plant, animal, or
microbial origin, such as medicinal plants, agricultural crops
and animal breeds. Rice field in Madagascar (UN Photo/Lucien
Rajaonina) Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property GRs as
encountered in nature are not creations of the human mind and
thus they cannot be directly protected as intellectual property
(IP). However, there are IP issues associated with GRs. In
considering IP issues associated with GRs, WIPO’s work
complements the frameworks for access and benefit-sharing
provided by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its
Nagoya Protocol, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture of the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Issues under Discussion at
WIPO Negotiations on an international lega