Papers by Christine Frison
Reading and writing DNA is now possible with an unprecedented speed and ease. Until recently, the... more Reading and writing DNA is now possible with an unprecedented speed and ease. Until recently, the global political and legal instruments regulating genetic resources globally exclusively focused on access to physical genetic resources without considering possible consequences of their digitization. Following significant tensions in the various international forums addressing access and benefit sharing of genetic resources, we advocate here a new Multi-stakeholder Committee on the Governance of Digital Sequence Information, dedicated to solving governance issues associated with digitization of genetic resources. This body will constitute a transversal and inclusive tool that will facilitate long-term coherence in all policy sectors dealing with genetic resources.
International Journal of the Commons, 2015
This paper aims at developing an original account of trust in the framework of large scale, inter... more This paper aims at developing an original account of trust in the framework of large scale, international collective action institutions. Our research question focuses on the structures and mechanisms that are necessary to sustain the trust needed to uphold the effective operation of institutions for collective action. Our theoretical framework for studying trust is based on the social capital theory. Social capital is defined as the features of social organization, such as trust, networks and norms that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. We claim that in different sectors and contexts stakeholders encounter difficulties in collaborating in setting up experimental institutions for collective action. In order to generate more collaboration, stakeholders need to create structures that incite actors to find better ways to sustain trust, to integrate the 1 Equal contribution by the first two authors. 152 Benjamin Six et al. process of sustaining trust in the organization, and to nourish it with the precise normative idea behind the institutional apparatus. In the plant and biomedical sector, stakeholders have encountered difficulties in sustaining trust while experimenting with different coordination mechanisms for dealing with the increased appropriation of knowledge through patents. Our analysis of some examples from the plant and biomedical sector suggest that institutions could be understood as complex pragmatic connectors of trust, i.e. social matrices of collective action that sustain individual commitment, where routine and reflexivity drive trust-based coordination mechanisms in interaction with their environment.
Routledge eBooks, Sep 6, 2022
Revues Interdisciplinaire d'Études Juridiques (RIEJ), 2018
Le Traité international sur les ressources phytogénétiques pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture v... more Le Traité international sur les ressources phytogénétiques pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture vise la sécurité alimentaire et une agriculture durable. Cet article analyse comment les 144 pays membres du TIRPAA répondent aux objectifs finaux du traité par la création d’un système de gestion commune des semences : le système multilatéral d’accès et de partage des avantages du TIRPAA, que d’aucuns ont appelé un « Global Seed Commons », inspiré par la littérature sur les communs. Deux constats sont posés : 1. Le Traité maintient un déséquilibre de droits (exclusif/individuel pour les multinationales vs. inclusif/collectif pour les agriculteurs). 2. Le Traité repose sur une dualité de discours entre d’un côté le souhait d’un commun global des semences ouvert à tous les acteurs et de l’autre la pratique d’un système adapté aux chercheurs/sélectionneurs. Au vu des développements de la théorie des communs durant la décennie en cours, il est particulièrement pertinent d’en explorer les possibilités d’application pour ce sujet qui impose, presque intrinsèquement, une approche en termes d’action collective. Partant, six principes invariables sont identifiés comme indispensables pour créer un commun politique global des semences et atteindre les objectifs du Traité. En effet, résoudre les problèmes liés à la gestion des semences, c’est contribuer à la transition agro-écologique et sociale suivant les principes et valeurs du développement durable pour faire face ensemble aux défis de demain.
The international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture aims to reach food security and promote sustainable agriculture. This article analyses how its 144 contracting parties answer the Treaty’s objectives by creating the multilateral system of access and benetif-sharing, also called “Global Seed Commons” by some authors inspired by the theory of the commons. There are two major outcomes: 1. The Treaty does not reduce the gap between strong individual appropriation of seeds by multinational companies and the almost inexistant collectif rights of farmers to reuse seeds. 2. The Treaty relies on a dual discourse, where the aim is to set an effective global seed commons for all its stakeholders, but where the practice only designs a practical system for researchers/breeders. The recent developments in the theory of the commons are particularly useful in investigating the issues at stake, as the subject itself requires a collective action approach. Six invariable principles are identified as necessary to enable all its stakholders to create an effective political global seed commons and to reach the Treaty’s objectives. Indeed, finding solutions to the constraints related to the international seed management participates in the socio- and agroécological transition following the prnciples of sustainable development in order to face together tomorrow’s challenges.
Annexe 1: Synthèse détaillée de la recherche doctorale (10 pages, 34.860 caractères)
This paper aims at developing an original account of trust in the framework of large scale, inter... more This paper aims at developing an original account of trust in the framework of large scale, international collective action institutions. Our research question focuses on the structures and mechanisms that are necessary to sustain the trust needed to uphold the effective operation of institutions for collective action. Our theoretical framework for studying trust is based on the social capital theory. Social capital is defined as the features of social organization, such as trust, networks and norms that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. We claim that in different sectors and contexts stakeholders encounter difficulties in collaborating in setting up experimental institutions for collective action. In order to generate more collaboration, stakeholders need to create structures that incite actors to find better ways to sustain trust, to integrate the process of sustaining trust in the organization, and to nourish it with the precise normative idea behind the institutional apparatus. In the plant and biomedical sector, stakeholders have encountered difficulties in sustaining trust while experimenting with different coordination mechanisms for dealing with the increased appropriation of knowledge through patents. Our analysis of some examples from the plant and biomedical sector suggest that institutions could be understood as complex pragmatic connectors of trust, i.e. social matrices of collective action that sustain individual commitment, where routine and reflexivity drive trust-based coordination mechanisms in interaction with their environment.
Food security; Food sovereignty; Right to feed oneself; Human right to adequate food
Food Policy, Jan 1, 1988
This series of books is published by Earthscan in association with Bioversity International. The ... more This series of books is published by Earthscan in association with Bioversity International. The aim of the series is to review the current state of knowledge in topical issues associated with agricultural biodiversity, to identify gaps in our knowledge base, to synthesize lessons learned and to propose future research and development actions. The overall objective is to increase the sustainable use of biodiversity in improving people's well-being and food and nutrition security. The series' scope is all aspects of agricultural biodiversity, ranging from conservation biology of genetic resources through social sciences to policy and legal aspects. It also covers the fields of research, education, communication and coordination, information management and knowledge sharing.
European Intellectual …, Jan 1, 2010
This article addresses the Treaty challenges to stimulate innovation. The interface between IPRs ... more This article addresses the Treaty challenges to stimulate innovation. The interface between IPRs and the Treaty, and the wider framework for conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources are examined. We recognize that both IPRs and facilitated access to the ...
Legal Aspects of Implementing the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, 2013
Associatie KULeuven. ...
Conference of the Parties to the Convention …, Jan 1, 2006
Sustainable Developments in …, Jan 1, 2005
Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1005298 ... Intellectual Property Rights a... more Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1005298 ... Intellectual Property Rights and Traditional Knowledge: The Case of Yoga ... Published in Economic & Political Weekly Vol. 47 No. 27 & 28, July 14-20, 2007 Pp 2866 - 2871 ... Copyright claims pertaining to ...
... at Brandeis University created a master's degree program in Sustainable International De... more ... at Brandeis University created a master's degree program in Sustainable International Development. ... A problem with traditional methods, such as lectures, is that they focus on ... activities and experiences during open group discussions, and the instructor recorded these results. ...
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Papers by Christine Frison
The international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture aims to reach food security and promote sustainable agriculture. This article analyses how its 144 contracting parties answer the Treaty’s objectives by creating the multilateral system of access and benetif-sharing, also called “Global Seed Commons” by some authors inspired by the theory of the commons. There are two major outcomes: 1. The Treaty does not reduce the gap between strong individual appropriation of seeds by multinational companies and the almost inexistant collectif rights of farmers to reuse seeds. 2. The Treaty relies on a dual discourse, where the aim is to set an effective global seed commons for all its stakeholders, but where the practice only designs a practical system for researchers/breeders. The recent developments in the theory of the commons are particularly useful in investigating the issues at stake, as the subject itself requires a collective action approach. Six invariable principles are identified as necessary to enable all its stakholders to create an effective political global seed commons and to reach the Treaty’s objectives. Indeed, finding solutions to the constraints related to the international seed management participates in the socio- and agroécological transition following the prnciples of sustainable development in order to face together tomorrow’s challenges.
The international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture aims to reach food security and promote sustainable agriculture. This article analyses how its 144 contracting parties answer the Treaty’s objectives by creating the multilateral system of access and benetif-sharing, also called “Global Seed Commons” by some authors inspired by the theory of the commons. There are two major outcomes: 1. The Treaty does not reduce the gap between strong individual appropriation of seeds by multinational companies and the almost inexistant collectif rights of farmers to reuse seeds. 2. The Treaty relies on a dual discourse, where the aim is to set an effective global seed commons for all its stakeholders, but where the practice only designs a practical system for researchers/breeders. The recent developments in the theory of the commons are particularly useful in investigating the issues at stake, as the subject itself requires a collective action approach. Six invariable principles are identified as necessary to enable all its stakholders to create an effective political global seed commons and to reach the Treaty’s objectives. Indeed, finding solutions to the constraints related to the international seed management participates in the socio- and agroécological transition following the prnciples of sustainable development in order to face together tomorrow’s challenges.
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and proposes solutions using the "theory of the commons" to improve the collective seed management system of the Treaty, a necessary condition for its member states to reach the overall food security and sustainable agriculture goals.
This book shows how social sciences, and more especially law, can contribute towards reconfiguring current legal frameworks in order to achieving a better balance between the necessary requirements of agricultural innovation and the need for protection of agrobiodiversity. On the assumption that the concept of property can be rethought against the background of the 'right to include', so as to endow others with a common 'right to access' genetic resources, several international instruments and contractual arrangements drawn from the
plant-breeding field (including the Convention on Biological Diversity, technology exchange clearing houses and open sources licenses) receive special consideration. In addition, the authors explore the tension
between ownership and the free circulation and exchange of germplasm and issues such as genetic resources managed by local and indigenous communities, the ITPGRFA and participatory plant-breeding programmes.
As a whole, the book demonstrates the relevance of the 'Commons' for plant breeding and agricultural innovation.