ABC Science Online Deep sea new site for 'lawless gold rush'
"Biotechnology companies are profiting from living resources found in the deep ocean without laws to ensure their actions are sustainable and fair, says an Australian environmental lawyer.
Dr David Leary of Macquarie University in Sydney says his research has revealed there are six companies selling products derived from the deep ocean and another eight developing them.
"They are the main players in the biotech industry; they're North American and European companies," he says."
"He says 70% of the ocean is beyond national jurisdiction and most of that is the area known as the deep seas or high seas, around 5 to 10 kilometres deep."
Washtech.Com A New Outlet for Venter's Energy
"Tapping a $100 million research endowment he is creating from his stock holdings, Venter plans to scour the world's deep ocean trenches for bacteria that might be able to convert carbon dioxide, the gas released when cars and power plants burn fuel, back into solid form without needing a lot of sunlight or other energy."
"Venter emphasized that from now on, his ventures will be set up as not-for-profit corporations. "I'm not in business anymore," he said."