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Nature 427, 769 (26 February 2004) | doi:10.1038/427769b

Bioprospectors edge towards deal with developing countries

Rex Dalton

Guidelines for researchers, companies, governments and universities engaged in bioprospecting are to be drawn up within two years, representatives of nearly 200 nations have agreed.Researchers hope the guidelines will help to calm global discord over the sharing of financial benefits from natural products, such as potential drug targets — particularly those found in poor nations that are rich in biodiversity.