This foresight workshop will address the discovery and use of natural products derived from marine organisms to address human health challenges. Scientists from a variety of fields from ecology to chemistry will explore efficient methods to finding alternative therapies to modernise pharmacological therapy. The two day workshop will foster integration of current knowledge acquired by projects and fora at the European level which are looking into the legal and policy aspects related to access to Marine Genetic Resources in the framework of the Nagoya protocol. The workshop will aim at integrating recently acquired knowledge on the best practice for sustainable supply of raw material for industry, efficient production systems, legal aspects linked to access of marine resources, their sustainable use, access and benefit sharing, and aspects regarding environmental viability.
The main output will be a position paper describing possible future scenarios for sustainable access to marine genetic resources and their exploitation for human health, addressing some of the research priorities defined by the EU. Synergies between the different partners with varying scientific backgrounds and expertise may lead to future joint ventures and proposals with a multidisciplinary focus.
This will bring together co-ordinators and partners of the major FP7 projects with members of ERA-NET Marine Biotechnology action in order to strengthen the EU governance in the marine bio-discovery pipeline.
