BIOPIRACY ANDITS EFFECTS ON BIODIVERSITY

BioDiversityBiodiversity is the variation

of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet.

The UN declared the year 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.

Biodiverstiy Concentration

Approximately 90% of the world's remaining biodiversity is concentrated in tropical and sub-tropical regions within developing countries, especially in key centers of mega-diversity: Mexico Brazil India Indonesia Australia The Democratic Republic of Congo. 

BioProspecting

It is the search for biological resources and associated indigenous knowledge - mainly for the purpose of commercial exploitation but in compliance with the Convention on Biodiversity.

Many years ago, scientists did not need any approval from anyone to collect samples. Now it all changed.

While bioprospecting does not negatively affect the interests of indigenous peoples or is a threat to biodiversity, it facilitates biopiracy.

BioPiracy

Biopiracy refers to the collection, study and commercialization of biological and genetic resources without the free and prior informed consent of source communities and countries, and the application of intellectual property rights (IPR) on these resources.

Why PATENTS are BAD?

▪ Patents on life forms threaten community access to three of the most critical elements of human survival: ▪ food ▪water ▪health care.

Why companies choose Biopiracy instead of Bioprospecting?

Due to the competition in the pharmaceutical and agricultural area, big companies do not have time to collect samples legally, so they engage in biopiracy in order to be the first to patent biological material.

“Gene Rush” instead of “Gold Rush”

Companies realize that genes of living organisms are the basic 'raw materials' of the new biotechnologies.

The 'Gene Rush' has thus become a new version of the old 'Gold Rush', in the rush for future profits.

Biopiracy methods

Illegal collection of Bio Samples in the biodiversity “hot spots”.

Collaboration with universities, governments and non-government organizations, which are able to contribute relatively low-cost field research and input. In exchange for their involvement, those

organizations receive:▪ project funding ▪ Scholarships▪ technological hardware.

Biopiracy and illegal patenting Examples:

W R Grace Company patented the pesticide extract from the neem tree (sample taken from India).

German Pharmaceutical company patented illegally manzana variety of the chamomile (sample taken from Mexico).

BioPiracy effects on BiodiversityBiopiracy alters the environment, which in turn causes Biodiversity depletion

Example:

Asia: Used to be more than 100,000 varieties of rice in the 20th

century. Now, less than a dozen are planted in 70 % of land being

cultivated for rice. India:

Used to be 30,000 Now only 10 varieties are grown in 75 %.

Sri Lanka: Used to be more than 2,000 Now, only 5 varieties.

Philippines: Used to be 3,500 varieties of rice Now only 8varieties are grown in more than 75 % of

ricelands today.

Biodiversity Depletion EffectsFood security:

The availability of biodiversity is often a "safety net" that increases food security.

Vulnerability:

Many communities have experienced more natural disasters over the past several decades.

Coral Reefs

Mangroves

Health:

A balanced diet depends on the availability of a wide variety of foods and nutrition, which in turn depends on the conservation of biodiversity.

Greater wildlife diversity may decrease the spread of many wildlife pathogens to humans. 

Clean water

The continued loss of forests and the destruction of watersheds reduce the quality and availability of water supplied to household use and agriculture.

Social relations

Many cultures attach spiritual, aesthetic, recreational, and religious values to ecosystems or their components.

The loss or damage to these components can harm social relations, both by reducing the bonding value of shared experience.

Freedom of choice

Loss of biodiversity, which is sometimes irreversible, often means a loss of choices.

Basic materials

Biodiversity provides various goods - such as plants and animals - that individuals need in order to earn an income and secure sustainable livelihoods.

In addition to agriculture, biodiversity contributes to a range of other sectors, including

"ecotourism" pharmaceuticals cosmetics  fisheries.

The End…