Hydrobiology WA recently attended an information session on the WA Discovery Bill in relation to the use of eDNA in various future projects. This bill, once enshrined into legislation, aims for Aboriginal people to have input about the use of their traditional knowledge for biodiscovery on WA genetic resources and share benefits from commercialisation of any such discoveries. It seems appropriate that this should coincide with National Reconciliation Week as scientific and commercial organisations seek to redress any lack of acknowledgement of traditional knowledge in the utilisation of Western Australia’s genetic resources. The proposed Bill will also aim to align with the principles contained in the Nagoya Protocol, an international agreement about sharing the benefits of using genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. Watch this space!
