Suggested ethical guidelines for accessing and exploring biodiversity

Biodiversity in both developing and developed countries has been accessed for a long time by outside researchers and corporate prospectors as well as by local communities. Such activities are carried out for various purposes. Sometimes plants, animals and habitats are merely described, other times the goal is to extract for profit. These activities have helped to advance knowledge and create awareness of how precious biodiversity is. These activities have also generated many products that contribute to the health and well-being of global consumers, but may not necessarily provide benefits to their original stewards. (author)