Marine Genetics

It is agreed that marine genetic resources have great potential value and we are finding ways they might be put to use for the benefit of all. We need to consider the potential environmental and biological consequences of exploring for them; while remembering that resources can be depleted, and their exploitation can have unintended consequences.

The major issues that were discussed at the UN Consultative Committee Meeting in New York, 24-29 June 2007 included

• nature of marine genetic resources and the status and sources of knowledge
• activities such as scientific investigation, bioprospecting, exploitation
• supporting, regulating and provisioning services
• organisms and areas of interest
• anthropogenic stresses
• relevant international agreements including intellectual property rights and the protection of the marine environment
• current activities.

Based on the report of the Secretary-General of the UN on oceans and the law of the sea to the sixty-second session of the General Assembly, Chapter X marine genetic resources (A/62/66 paras. 126 to 249)

Other issues for discussion included

• marine scientific research,
• socio-economic implications deriving from the use of marine genetic resources
• capacity-building in developing countries
• legal and institutional frameworks related to marine genetic resources
• incentives for the sustainable use of marine genetic resources.

In all living cells, genetic information is stored in DNA molecules. A DNA barcode is a short DNA sequence that can discriminate species and aid in the classification of unknown species. These barcodes are being determined for many marine animal species in association with Census of Marine Life (CoML) activities and ocean realm field projects. Efforts are underway to more fully coordinate CoML barcoding efforts with the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL). CBOL is an international initiative devoted to developing DNA barcoding as:

• an accurate and useful tool for scientific research on the taxonomy of animal and plant species;
• a practical, cost-effective aid to assigning unidentified specimens to their correct species; and
• a system for expanding interest and activity in taxonomy.