Bio-prospecting in YNP

Bioprospecting & Benefits Sharing Bioprospecting: The search for useful scientific information from genetic or biochemical resources. It does not require large-scale resource consumption typical of extractive industries associated with the term “prospecting,” such as logging and mining. Benefits-sharing: An agreement between researchers, their institutions, and the National Park Service that returns benefits to the parks when results of research have potential for commercial development. Extremophile: A microorganism living in extreme conditions such as heat and acid, and that cannot survive without these conditions. Thermophile: Heat-loving extremophile

Commercialization Researchers who study material obtained under a Yellowstone National Park research permit are now required to enter into benefits-sharing agreements with the National Park Service before using their research results for any commercial purpose.

"The Value of Habitat Conservation for Bioprospecting" Sean B. Cash, ARE Ph.D. Candidate The loss of biological diversity worldwide has attracted considerable attention in recent years. One of the concerns cited is that the genetic resources threatened by the extinction of species are potential sources of innovations that could directly benefit humanity when exploited for pharmaceutical, agricultural, or industrial innovations. By one estimate, one-quarter of all medical drugs used in the developed world were initially developed from plants (Pearce and Moran, 1994). The potential value of future discoveries has therefore been suggested as a source of funds for habitat conservation.

Economic value of endangered species? Accordingly, economists have turned some attention to the question of what companies may be willing to pay to preserve threatened genetic resources. A paper by Simpson, Sedjo and Reid (1996) argues that the commercial value of the "marginal species" is likely to be extremely small, thus leaving little incentive for companies to invest in habitat conservation. Their result is based on a static model that assumes the probability that any given species contains commercially valuable information is independent and identical across species. Rausser and Small (2000) challenge these findings by noting that firms focus their research efforts on the most promising species, and that auspicious leads command an information rent because of their role in lowering search costs. For the most promising ecosystems, they find that the value of preservation may be much more promising than suggested in the previous study.

Bioprospecting History at YNP 1966 Prof. Thomas Brock discovers Thermus aquaticus in a YNP hotspring and grows it in a lab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is invented, which allows billions of copies of DNA to be made in a few hours. An enzyme discovered in T. aquaticus called Taq polmerase can withstand the heat created by PCR process without breaking down like ordinary plymerase enzymes. This makes DNA studies much faster and cheaper.

Benefits-Sharing Microbes and DNA collected in the park remain federal property and so can’t be sold (lake trout, bison). Only research results (knowledge) can be commercialized. Fed law requires NPS to enter into benefits-sharing agreements that give parks a “reasonable share of profits” when research yields commercial value.

In 1997 the Park reached a CRADA (Cooperative Research & Development Agreement) with Diversa, a Nasdaq listed San-Diego, Ca. biotechnology company. Under the agreement, Diversa provides the Park with : * An up-front payment of US$ 100,000, payable in 5 yearly installments. * Undisclosed royalties of up to 10% upon commercialisation of a product derived from genetic resources sourced from the Park. Royalty rates are based on a sliding scale, depending on the end-use of the research results and the magnitude of sales. The company also transferred equipment such as DNA extraction kits and DNA 'primers' and has trained Park staff in some recent molecular biology techniques. The value of the equipment and training is estimated at $75,000 per year in the contract In return, the company benefits from non-exclusive access to the genetic resources in the Park, and from being permitted to use specimens collected earlier under Research (Ken Tate et al., 1998).

Litigation: The American Way In 1997 environmentalists sued the NPS in Fed Ct to stop the Coop Res & Dev Agree (CRADA). In 1999 Fed judge ordered NPS to prepare an EIS of this research activity and suspended the CRADA. In 2000 the Ct ruled: CRADA consistent with NPS mission, bioprospecting was not consumptive, bioprospecting did not constitute commercial use, and YNP fell under def of a “fed lab”.

Diversa Corp Earned large profit from the patent on Taq polymerse from gene testing kits that include the Taq enzyme. YNP received nothing because it did not have a benefits-sharing agreement with Diversa (at that time). NPS now has a EIS on the potential impacts of commercial research at the park (which now do include benefits-sharing clauses).

On-going Research YNP’s high temp habitats support one of Earth’s highest concentrations of extremophilic biodiversity. Researchers estimate >99% of species in YNP’s hydrothermal features are yet to be discovered. Annually about 40 research studies are underway in YNP’s to identify and understand extremophiles (proteins and enzymes).

Research has led to advances in Producing ethanol Treating Ag food waste Bioremediating chlorinated hydrocarbons Recovering oil Biobleaching paper pulp Improving animal feed Increased juice yield from fruits Improving detergents And many more….

Benefits-Sharing final EIS The potential environmental impacts of 3 alternatives are examined: Alternative A: No Benefits-Sharing/No Action; Alternative B: Implement Benefits-Sharing (Preferred Alternative) with the following variations: Alternative B1. Always disclose royalty rate and related information; Alternative B2. Comply with confidentiality laws regarding disclosure of royalty rate or related information (Preferred Alternative); Alternative B3. Never disclose royalty rate or related information; Alternative C: Prohibit Research Specimen Collection for Any Commercially Related Research Purposes

Benefits Sharing : A New Tool for the National Parks

Views on Benefits Sharing Opponents Small, but vocal and active group(s) “ParksNotForSale.org”Oppose: “Commercialization” of parks “Secret” deals History of Litigation EIS was ordered by federal judge A FOIA request is now being fulfilled Supporters 12,000 DEIS notifications sent 9,600 commenters responded 75% respondents support the idea Agencies/Groups that have expressed support: Department of State National Institutes of Health White House Office of Science and Technology National Parks and Conservation Association Biotechnology Industry Association

Are parks for sale? Yes, indeed because some of our leaders are planning to sell off some of the national parks. Property developers would certainly love to get their hands on national parks and they would not even bat an eyelash at the price. We at Parks Not for Sale believe in protecting our national heritage so that the next generation can still experience the outdoors. We need to fight for our parks today so that they will not be sold when times are tight.

EIS Schedule September 2006: DEIS 60-day Public Review January 26, 2007: Public Comment Period Ended November 2009: FEIS Posted on Federal Register March 5, 2010: ROD signed

Overview Each year… The Research Permit Office issues ~200 research permits Approximately new research requests In 2010, researchers from 35 states and 5 foreign countries Bruce Fouke

Research by Discipline

Permitting Requirements Research project must not adversely impact… public health and safety environmental or scenic values natural or cultural resources other scientific research implementation of management responsibilities proper allocation and use of facilities visitor use activities

Permitting Requirements, contd. Researchers must be affiliated with a university, research facility, or government agency. Researchers must adhere to all park regulations and the conditions of their permit. Researchers are required to renew permit annually and complete an annual report. Must agree to supply NPS with copies of student theses, unpublished reports, and journal articles.

Thermophiles by Color & Location Upper, Middle, and Lower Basins & West Thumb Pink, yellow, orange, gray filaments— Thermocrinis bacteria Orange cyanobacteria, especially on sunny summer days (carotenoids protect the organisms from the bright sun)cyanobacteriacarotenoids Olive-green mats— cyanobacteria mixed with iron

Norris Basin & Mud Volcano Pink–pinkish-orange mats and streamers— Thermus aquaticus and other Thermus sp. Green streamers and mats— Cyanidium Orange—iron and/or arsenic, perhaps oxidized by thermophiles Gray, muddy —Sulfolobus—Sulfolobus

Mammoth Hot Springs Orange— Chloroflexus and cyanobacteria in summer Green— Chloroflexus and cyanobacteria in winter; Chlorobium in cooler water Cream—filamentous bacteria