Due to overexploitation and degradation of nature, we have been reducing the quantity and quality of biological resources. In 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development known as the "Earth Summit" was signed the Convention on Biological Diversity which aims at "... the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from utilization of genetic resources ... ".

Biological resources: These are genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, populations, or any other biotic component of ecosystems that have actual or potential value or use to humanity.

Genetic resources: These are genetic material of actual or potential value.