Biology · Ch 10 — Biotechnology and Its Applications
Ethical Issues
Ethical Issues
Ethical Issues — Regulation and Patents
The manipulation of living organisms cannot go on without regulation. Some ethical standards are needed to evaluate the morality of human activities that might help or harm living organisms. Beyond morality, the biological significance of such actions is also important.
Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when introduced into the ecosystem. Therefore, the Indian Government has set up GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee) , which makes decisions about the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms for public services.
Patents and Biopiracy
The modification and use of living organisms for public services (as food and medicine) has created problems with patents. There is growing public anger that certain companies are being granted patents for products and technologies that use genetic materials, plants, and other biological resources that have long been identified, developed, and used by farmers and indigenous people of a specific region or country.
Example: Basmati Rice
Rice has been a staple in Asia for thousands of years. India alone has an estimated 200,000 varieties of rice, including 27 documented varieties of Basmati, known for its unique aroma and flavour. Basmati has been grown for centuries and is referenced in ancient texts, folklore, and poetry.
In 1997, an American company got patent rights on Basmati rice through the US Patent and Trademark Office. This allowed the company to sell a 'new' variety of Basmati in the US and abroad. This 'new' variety was actually derived from Indian farmer's varieties — Indian Basmati was crossed with semi-dwarf varieties and claimed as an invention. The patent extended to functional equivalents, meaning other people selling Basmati rice could be restricted by the patent.
Similar attempts have been made to patent uses, products, and processes based on Indian traditional herbal medicines, such as turmeric and neem.
If we are not vigilant and do not immediately counter these patent applications, other countries or individuals may encash on our rich legacy, and we may not be able to do anything about it.
What is Biopiracy?
Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organisations without proper authorisation from the countries and people concerned, and without compensatory payment. …