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negative connotation. At worst, it
brings to mind indigenous people
giving away their knowledge of
traditional medicines and receiving
little reimbursement. Thankfully,
things have moved on, and
protocols for sharing benefits
are now commonplace. Prior to
collecting anything, researchers
will generally enter written
agreements with the country of
origin. In 2010, the international
Nagoya Protocol came into effect,
making such agreements a legal
requirement. But not everyone is
signed up to Nagoya – the US is
notably absent.
The high seas begin 200 nautical
miles from shore and don’t
technically belong to anyone,
making them difficult to police.
Currently, the UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
covers certain activities including
deep-sea mining and laying
cables, but it says nothing about
biodiversity. Formal discussions
got underway in March this year
to amend UNCLOS to encompass

bioprospecting. Various views

are on the negotiating table. “The

G77 and China believe that it

should be the Common Heritage

of Mankind, which would mean

everybody could benefit,” explains

Jaspars. The idea is that one single

nation or company shouldn’t be

allowed to solely benefit.

On the other hand is the concept

of Freedom of the High Seas,

backed by the US and Norway,

which would give any nations

freedom to bioprospect in the high

seas, just as anyone can fish there.

They could research

anywhere and hold on to

the profits. Other groups,

including the EU, are keen

to find a solution. It’s likely

to be several years until

bioprospecting in the high

seas becomes regulated.

NEW WAYS AHEAD

Back in the lab, Murphy’s

tuberculosis-busting

molecules are entering

the next round of tests

to see if they could lead to new

medicines. Even if they don’t,

Murphy is confident they will still

be useful. “They showed very

selective antibacterial activity

towards tuberculosis,” he says.

Other bacteria were left untouched.

Finding out exactly how these

molecules selectively kill the

tuberculosis bacterium could reveal

vital information about the disease

itself and perhaps point the way

towards effective medicines.

But bioprospectors will have

to hurry. This summer has seen

the ailing Great Barrier Reef make

headline news around the world,

and human activities continue

to threaten the health and

biodiversity of Earth’s oceans,

rivers and lakes. Let’s hope we can

find the drugs and cures we need

before our planet’s waters become

irrevocably sickened. ß

HELEN SCALES IS A MARINE BIOLOGIST AND

WRITER. HER MOST RECENT BOOK IS SPIRALS

IN TIME

“It’s possible

there have

been millions

of years of

separate

evolution in

each trench”

PUFFERFISH

These fish contain

tetrodotoxin (or

TTX). This is what

makes fugu (a

delicacy made

from pufferfish) a

risky dinner. TTX

is being

developed as a

treatment for the

pain suffered

during

chemotherapy.

SPINY

STARFISH

This starfish’s

body is covered in

slime consisting

of 14 per cent

carbohydrate and

86 per cent

protein. The

substance is

being investigated

as a treatment for

arthritis and

asthma.

HORSESHOE
CRABS
The blood of these
arthropods is
packed with
amoebocyte cells
that react to tiny
traces of bacteria.
Their blood has
been used for the
last 50 years to test
equipment and
vaccines for
contamination.

DENDRILLA

MEMBRANOSA

This sea sponge

contains a

molecule called

darwinolide. This

substance has

been found to be

effective against

the drug-resistant

MRSA ‘superbug’,

which can often

cause problems in

hospitals.

MICROCOCCUS

LUTEUS

This bacterium

produces a

pigment called

sarcinaxanthin

that can block

long-

wavelength UV

radiation. This

could be used in

the development

of more effective

sunscreens.

ELYSIA

RUFESCENS

This species

of sea slug has

a wide

distribution. It

contains a

substance called

kahalalide F,

which is currently

under investigation

as a potential

tumour-fighting

agent.

CONE SNAILS

The stings of

these molluscs

contain

conotoxins. There

is already a

conotoxin-based

painkiller that’s

more potent than

morphine. There

are also cancer

and diabetes

treatments on the

horizon.

UNDERWATER PHARMACY
These creatures contain chemicals that could beat cancer, MRSA, and more