New Law of Brazilian Biodiversity: Legal Aspects and Impact in the Field of Biotechnology

Abstract Access to genetic resources (GR) and/or traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources (ATK) has been regulated in Brazil since 2001. The law 13,123 / 2015 determined a significant change in the theme, mainly on the rules of distribution of benefits obtained for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the access to technology and technology transfer, the exploitation of products or reproductive material from the GR or ATK and consignment to the outside of part or all the living or dead organism shipped for GR. The implementation of international treaties on GR and ATK for research, biotechnological development and bioprospecting have been causing difficulties for Brazilian researchers, mainly due to the lack of information and dissemination available for compliance with the legislation. In this work, the members of the Committee for Access to Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge of the Federal Fluminense University (UFFGEN) - Brazil, and collaborators performed a critical reflection on the new law, helping Brazilian researchers with information necessary to understand the changes made by the new legislation, especially in the field of Biotechnology associated with Brazilian Biodiversity.