The phenomenon of marine bioprospecting

Abstract

Bioprospecting (bioexploration or biosearch), which has taken shape since the end of the 90s of the last century, is developing rapidly. In recent decades, the dynamics of scientific publications on this topic has increased many times. Marine bioprospecting, as part of the general research direction, is characterized by an extremely wide range of studies, most of which are still in the phase of accumulating information about the genetic and biochemical diversity of biological material. In order to assess the potential of bioprospecting, a review of the results of the conducted studies was carried out. Within its framework, the periodization of the biosearch was carried out, the scale, the main factors, the problems, and the economic foundation of bioprospecting development are identified. The analysis and classification of methodological concepts is carried out. The role of information is revealed and the consequences of the development of bioprospecting are considered. The significant lag of the Russian marine bioprospecting requires taking serious steps toward the development of important and promising directions such as the creation of appropriate infrastructure and new forms of research organizations, the consolidation of the scientific community, the inclusion of business and government structures in the process.