Bioprospecting and Biodiversity Contracts

Mulholland, Denise M; Wilman, Elizabeth A

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Bioprospecting and Biodiversity Contracts

Date

1998

Authors

Mulholland, Denise M

Wilman, Elizabeth A

Abstract

An economic model for a biodiversity prospecting contract, between a developing country and a pharmaceutical company is developed. The theoretical model is compared with observed contracts and those being developed by biodiversity expects. It is found that these contracts roughly reflect the character of the economic model, although due to asymmetric information and risk aversion, the contracts are often second-best.