Biological Piracy

Joanna Lim and Kal Peralta

 Introduction
 Biological Piracy or Biopiracy for
short is no different from DVD
pirating. Before, there were no
territorial disputes and there were no
laws concerning the ownership of
biological resources. Because of this,
stealing of biological material
increased.
 Definition of Terms
 Biopiracy- the illegal use or
commercialization of biological
objects

 Bioprospecting- collecting of
biological resources for scientific
knowledge

 Biological Theft- illegal collection of

biological materials by corporations
which patent them for their own use
 Definition of Terms
 Patent- exclusive right given by the
government to the inventor to
manufacture, use or sell an invention
for a couple of years

 Biodiversity- the number and variety

of organisms found in an
environment

 Privatization- the change from public

to private ownership or control
 Definition of Terms
 Bioprospectors- people who
prospects for biological materials

 Biopirate- a person who uses or

reproduces the work of an inventor
without authorization

 Monoculture- a single homogeneous

culture without diversity or
dissension
 Definition of Terms
 Industrial Property- intellectual
property that includes inventions
(patents), trademarks, industrial
designs and geographic indications
of source
 Related Literature
 Biopiracy- illegal collection of
biological materials by corporations
who patent them for their own use
- uses flora and fauna
- exploitation of the medicine
or knowledge of the traditional
people
-monopolization of biological
resources
 Related Literature
-illegal, violates domestic law
-doesn’t respect, recognize,
or give credit to the rightful owner of
the life forms

 Bioprospecting- search for biological

resources and indigenous knowledge
used for commercial exploitation
 Related Literature
 Biopiracy is NOT the same as
bioprospecting.
 Bioprospecting is NOT a threat to
biodiversity because it does not take
something from one’s own use
without obtaining the Prior Informed
Consent (PIC).
 Bioprospecting gives credit or
compensation UNLIKE biopiracy.
 Related Literature
 Main Sources of Biopiracy:
 Corporations
 Academic Institutions

 Governments

 They claim intellectual property over

genetic resources (patents on life)
 Related Literature
 Nanotechnology- manipulation of
individual atoms and molecules
 Nanopirates claim ownership of
molecules and even it elements
where they came from

 CBD (Convention of Biological

Diversity) believe that agreements
can be arranged for both parties to
for the benefit of the majority in
overcoming biopiracy
 Position on the Issue
 Pro-Biopiracy:
 It will help the advancement of
technology and enrich the scientific
knowledge.
 Cures of different diseases can be
discovered.
 Can life be owned?
 Position on the Issue
 Con-Biopiracy:
 Causes imbalance in the biodiversity.
 Stealing of intellectual rights
 Indigenous people lose profit
 No credit is given to the proper owner of the
material
 No definite laws that concern biopiracy
 Pharmaceuticals abuse in order to gain
profit
 Rosy Periwinkle
(Catharansus Roseus)
 Native and endemic to Madagascar
 Evergreen subshrub

 Vinblastine and vincristine used to

treat
Leukemia
 Treats diabetes, malaria and
Hodgkin’s disease
 Conflict between western companies
and indigenous groups because of
 Neem Tree
(Azadirachta Indica)
 Found in India
 fast- growing evergreen that can reach 20
m in height
 Azardirachtin-astringency chemical found
in the tree
 Treats leprosy, diabetes, ulcers, skin
diseases and constipation
 1971-Robert Larson found Margosan-O and
received patent from the US
Environmental Protection agency in 1985
 Conclusion/Resolution
 Definite laws that must be followed
by everyone
 CBD must have a standard set of rules
for everyone in order to avoid confusion.
 Must reach an agreement

 Illegal activity or biopirates must be

fined if caught
 Pharmaceutical companies must
respect the people or the country