Achievements in the ICB programme in 2012

We reviewed input on the Draft BioCode (2011) and emerged satisfied that a single typological Code for the future covering all organisms is feasible, provided that there were exceptions for some special groups. The workshop decided that it would be premature to seek its formal adoption by IUBS and IUMS because: (1) the increasing convergence in the Special Codes, and (2) the development in new digital models for handling nomenclatural information. The Committee was pleased to note that elements of the Draft BioCode (2011) were being incorporated into the Special Codes. It was determined that the BioCode would continue to serve as a framework to influence the development of future typological Codes. As harmonization of the principle terms used by the Codes will facilitate inter-Code discussions, the committee published its recommendations on terminology (see: David et al. 2012).

Three new areas were identified as requiring particular attention: (1) the naming of organisms in an era of molecular-based discovery; (2) challenges with ambiregnal organisms, (3) the changing electronic environment for handling names.