The Emergence of the Concept of "Genomic Sovereignty" and Analysis of the related Policies and Regulations

With look to the significance and value of human genetic resources in genomic research, this study aimed to analyze the emerging concept of "genomic sovereignty" and related policies and regulations. legal documents and acts regarding access to human bio-samples and the emerging concept of genomic sovereignty in developing countries were purposefully searched and then, the concept and its legal aspects were analyzed. Findings: "Genomic sovereignty" is the capacity of a people, a country or nation to own, to control both access to and use of the samples, data and knowledge concerning or emanating from genomic materials. This concept has primarily emerged from those developing economies such as Mexico, India, China, Brazil, Thailand and South Africa that felt the need to protect their biogenetic resources and genetic uniqueness from being abused and exploited by third parties. In this regard, the developing countries in order to implement of "genomic sovereignty" should establish regulations in the field of controlling and the access to national human genetic resources. The findings showed that developing countries applying the genomic sovereignty should develop their capacity in halting bio piracy and strengthen their role in international genetic researches. For Iran, as a country with eligible statue in biotechnology technically and scientifically, such a pattern would contribute to establishing a coherent legal order especially when it comes to cooperating with foreign researchers in international genetic researches.