In this chapter, Emma Torres discusses the biodiversity of Latin America and the region’s potential to be a leader in the fields of biotechnology, biomimicry, and other innovative areas. Regulation is important because we have to make sure that we crate the right incentives, financing, and certification to protect and value biodiversity. Biodiversity is in the culture of the region, but is threatened by extractive industries, lumbering, cattle, agribusiness, and hydropower, among other industries. Business as usual has tremendous implications and damages to the economy, health of the population and impacts on the poor. Biodiversity can be a platform for innovation; biomimicry is an approach that seeks solutions to human challenges that emulate nature.

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