Abstract: The object of research of this article is interstate relations in the field of legal regulation of the use of marine genetic resources. The author presents a detailed analysis of the concept of "marine genetic resources", draws a distinction with other similar concepts used in international legal acts. The current international legal acts in this area are considered in detail, as well as the draft of an International legally binding Document on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. A number of problems related to the international legal regulation of the use of marine genetic resources are identified. Comparative legal analysis, formal legal, formal logical and system methods, methods of analysis and generalization were used as the main methodology of the study. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that at the moment there is no universal international legal act that would regulate the use of marine genetic resources. It is also necessary to note a small number of scientific papers, mainly by foreign authors, devoted to this topic. At the same time, such resources have found wide application in various branches of science and production. Taking into account the above, it seems relevant to conduct additional scientific research aimed at studying the international legal regime of marine genetic resources. As a result of the presented research, the analysis of the concepts of "marine genetic resources", "genetic material", "marine biological resources", "living marine resources" was carried out. A number of problems in the international legal regulation of this sphere have been identified. So, in particular, the extension of the principle of the common heritage of mankind to marine genetic resources, if it is impossible to extend this principle to the open sea, may further generate legal conflicts. The author comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to further study the international legal regime of marine genetic resources.