The common heritage of mankind : from the law of the sea to the human genome and cyberspace

Abstract

Since Arvid Pardo addressed the UN General Assembly in 1967 and proposed to declare the deep seabed and ocean floor the common heritage of mankind, the need has been felt to adapt the concept of common heritage to the human genome and the internet. This paper is intended to demonstrate that the concept of a common heritage of mankind is the ideal jacket to fit the human genome and cyberspace as a mode of international governance in the interests of all humankind. The last part of the paper discusses Father Peter Serracino Inglott's vision for Malta as a promotional centre for Open Source systems.