As commercial synthetic biology production gathers speed, there are growing calls for greater regulation, reports Yojana Sharma.

Dominic Glover outlines the status of agricultural biotechnology research, development and commercialisation in sub-Saharan Africa.

Costa Rica's top biodiversity research centre aims to beat its financial problems by sharing in profits from drugs based on chemicals it discovers in local species, reports Rex Dalton.

Michael Astor reports that Brazil's attempts to prevent the exploitation of its Amazonian flora and fauna is stifling important biodiversity research.

Tina Butler reports on an initiative in Panama that aims to protect biodiversity and build local capacity to research and develop drugs from species found there.

US researchers have been forced to abandon their work on studying indigenous plant varieties in Southern Mexico, despite innovative efforts — including theatre — to involve the local community in their work.