There is a veritable gold rush mentality in the life sciences as scientists, entrepreneurs, and multinationals stake claims to the "code of life" embodied in the world’s current stock of plants, animals, microbes, and human populations. This edited volume explores the legal, economic, and political issues underlying the debate about intellectual property rights for traditional knowledge and genetic resources. It critically analyses the theory and practice of access and efforts to share benefits around the world. The book also investigates the current flashpoints: the David and Goliath battle between Monsanto and Percy Schmeiser over farmers’ rights; the dispute over the coexistence of GM and organic production; and the ownership and control of human genetic materials stored in human gene banks around the world.