This is the first comprehensive review of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) established in 2000. It provides an in-depth consideration of the key thematic areas within WIPO discussions - genetic resources (GRs), traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) through the perspectives of a broad range of experts and stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities. It also looks at how these areas have been treated in a number of forums and settings (including national systems and experiences, and also in trade agreements) and the interface with WIPO discussions. Furthermore, the book analyses the process and the negotiation dynamics since the IGC received a mandate from WIPO members, in 2009, to undertake formal text-based negotiations towards legal instruments for the protection of GR, TK and TCEs. While there has been some progress in these negotiations, important disagreements persist. If these are to be resolved, the adoption of these legal instruments would be a significant development towards resolving key gaps in the modern intellectual property system. In this regard, the book considers the future of the IGC and suggests options which could contribute towards achieving a consensual outcome.

This is the first comprehensive review of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) established in 2000. It provides an in-depth consideration of the key thematic areas within WIPO discussions - genetic resources (GRs), traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) through the perspectives of a broad range of experts and stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities. It also looks at how these areas have been treated in a number of forums and settings (including national systems and experiences, and also in trade agreements) and the interface with WIPO discussions. Furthermore, the book analyses the process and the negotiation dynamics since the IGC received a mandate from WIPO members, in 2009, to undertake formal text-based negotiations towards legal instruments for the protection of GR, TK and TCEs. While there has been some progress in these negotiations, important disagreements persist. If these are to be resolved, the adoption of these legal instruments would be a significant development towards resolving key gaps in the modern intellectual property system. In this regard, the book considers the future of the IGC and suggests options which could contribute towards achieving a consensual outcome.

Myelodysplastic syndrome comprises a group of clonal hematologic disorders characterized clinically and morphologically by ineffective hematopoiesis. It is viewed by most hematologists as encompassing stages of neoplastic hematopoiesis associated with cytopenias and as excluding nonneoplastic conditions. Neoplastic transformation of hematopoietic cells can occur at various levels of stem-cell development. The initial hematopoietic stem cell injury can result from cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation exposure, viral infection, chemical exposure, or genetic predisposition. A clonal mutation predominates over bone marrow suppressing healthy stem cells. The decision about how to deal with the morbidity of the disease versus the potential benefits and toxicities from treatment will ultimately be made by the individual patient. This decision is based on age, personal preferences, and available information about disease biology and prognostic factors. The aim of the present work is to review recent advances in myelodysplastic syndrome as regard molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis, classification and treatment.