What is `bioprospecting'?
The term `bioprospecting' refers to the search for valuable chemical and genetic compounds found in nature. While `bioprospecting' is often associated with biological resource sampling from tropical rainforests, the great concentration of rare geothermal environments found at Yellowstone National Park provides habitat for a great diversity of microbial life still largely unexplored.
Why are biotech and other research firms interested in sampling microorganisms from Yellowstone?
The extreme environments found in Yellowstone's 10,000 hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, and other thermal features provide habitats for heat-loving (`thermophilic') microorganisms that have evolved with unique characteristics offering potentially valuable industrial applications. Yellowstone has more protected thermal features than the rest of the world combined, offering the greatest diversity of thermal habitats found on Earth. Scientists estimate that less than 2 percent of the microscopic life alive in Yellowstone's thermal features has been identified to date (making the Park's thermal features of special interest to researchers). The best-known example of valuable research results from `bioprospecting' at Yellowstone was the development in the late 1980s of the so-called `Taq polymerase' that resulted from research on a microorganism called `Thermus aquaticus'. The economic value of applications of Taq polymerase is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually and growing.
Is research on microorganisms new at Yellowstone?
No. The earliest research permit involving Yellowstone microorganisms was issued in 1898. In the mid-1960s, new life forms were discovered at Yellowstone that thrived at temperatures previously thought to be too high to support life (thereby suggesting a greater diversity of life than previously thought possible). More recent NASA research at Yellowstone suggests that the Park's thermal environments offer some of the world's best preserved `windows' on the origin of life on Earth as well as clues about the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe.
What is Yellowstone doing to protect its thermal habitats and their rich microbial biodiversity for the future?
The Yellowstone Thermophiles Conservation Project, which is a new initiative undertaken by Yellowstone National Park in cooperation with the World Foundation for Environment and Development (WFED) and the National Park Foundation (NPF), is being launched to encourage scientific exploration of Yellowstone's geothermal resources in ways that will capture benefits for Yellowstone and the conservation of its unique thermal habitats. The Project will focus on three core areas of activity intended to generate support for increased conservation-related practices at the Park: microbial biodiversity conservation, scientific research and data management, and public outreach and education.
How does a biotech firm or other scientific researcher get permission to collect microorganisms and do research at Yellowstone?
National Park Service regulations prohibit the collection of any biological samples or other natural resources from any national park without specific authorization. Scientists from reputable institutions interested in conducting research involving biological specimens found at Yellowstone are required to apply for and obtain a "research specimen" permit.
What rights do researchers get when they are issued a permit?
A research specimen permit authorizes non-invasive collection and use of research samples for scientific purposes.
Does Yellowstone ever "sell" microorganisms to biotech firms for research purposes?
No. The "sale" of natural products collected at national parks is prohibited.
How many research projects involving hot spring microbes are currently authorized at Yellowstone?
There are approximately 45 research projects involving hot spring microbes currently permitted at Yellowstone National Park.
How are microorganisms collected from Yellowstone's thermal features?
Researchers collect only representative samples of microbial specimens found in the hot springs and other thermal features. Typically, samples are placed in test tubes for subsequent analysis in the researcher's laboratory. Researchers are required to submit reports to Yellowstone that describe the samples collected.
What is new about Yellowstone's agreement with Diversa Corporation?
The cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) negotiated with Diversa Corporation will ensure that Yellowstone shares in the economic and scientific benefits resulting from Diversa's research involving microorganisms sourced from Yellowstone. While research specimen permits have been issued at Yellowstone National Park for many years, the permits have not provided any mechanism for Yellowstone to share in the benefits of any valuable research results.
Does Yellowstone's agreement with Diversa Corporation authorize the sale or commercialization of biological resources collected from Yellowstone?
No. The existing prohibition on the "sale or commercial use" of natural products collected at Yellowstone National Park remains unchanged. However, the agreement ensures that Yellowstone will share in the profits and scientific information generated from valuable "research results". This important distinction between resource use and research results will protect Yellowstone's natural resources from commercial exploitation while at the same time guaranteeing the Park a share of dividends that will be reinvested to strengthen Yellowstone's resource conservation mandate.
Does Diversa obtain any exclusive or other private rights to Yellowstone's biological resources through this agreement?
No. The agreement grants no exclusive or private rights to Diversa with respect to any biological specimens obtained from Yellowstone pursuant to a research specimen permit.
Do any other national parks or conservation areas in the United States or other countries authorize such biodiversity "benefits-sharing" agreements with biotech firms?
This is the first biodiversity benefits-sharing agreement to be negotiated with a US national park. Outside of the United States, one of the best-known examples has been developed in Costa Rica, where biotech and other research firms are required to negotiate benefits-sharing agreements that provide for conservation-focused profit-sharing and scientific training opportunities in exchange for biological samples obtained from Costa Rica's rainforests and other resource-rich habitats.
What benefits does Yellowstone receive from the agreement with Diversa Corporation?
Environmental: The agreement promotes the conservation of biodiversity by (1) increasing public appreciation of Yellowstone's thermal features and the thermophilic microbes that are found there and (2) enhancing Yellowstone's management and understanding of thermophiles
Scientific: The agreement promotes expanded scientific research on unexplored biodiversity by permitting access for non-damaging scientific research activities, and requires increased reporting of scientific information to Yellowstone for resource conservation and management purposes
Economic: The agreement promotes equitable benefits-sharing arrangements designed to support the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources
Educational: The agreement promotes opportunities for new educational programs about the value of biodiversity protected by national parks for society
Institutional: The agreement promotes improved public understanding about the role of national parks as stewards of valuable biological resources that enhance quality of life
Does Yellowstone expect to negotiate similar biodiversity "benefits-sharing" agreements with other biotech or research firms?
Yes.