This publication explains Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing (ABS) and its implications for academic research. The guide offers comprehensive information to assist scientists and research institutions in planning and performing research projects that use genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge from abroad. The goal of this manual is to enable researchers to act in conformity with the regulatory requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity, its Nagoya Protocol, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Good Practice Guide includes graphic illustrations outlining the steps to be taken when accessing genetic resources for research purposes, in-situ in the provider country, or ex-situ in public collections, within a research institution, or from third persons. It illustrates benefit-sharing opportunities to be included in the Mutually Agreed Terms from a non-commercial research perspective. Switzerland has ratified the CBD, the Nagoya Protocol, and the International Treaty. The Good Practice Guide informs about the corresponding Swiss legal obligations of academic researchers.
