biopiracy
Exploiting indigenous knowledge
Biopiracy is the appropriation of traditional knowledge or genetic resources—typically from indigenous communities or developing nations—by corporations or researchers who then patent or profit from them without fair compensation.
The term is pejorative, framing such practices as theft: Critics accused the pharmaceutical company of biopiracy after it patented a compound derived from a plant long used in Amazonian medicine.
Indirect foreign domination
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- extractionAct of removing
- Global SouthEconomically disadvantaged nations collectively
- developing nationsCountries with lower economic output
power imbalance · cultural appropriation · colonial legacy · resource exploitation · indigenous rights · land rights
Act of removing
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- plunderGoods seized violently
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
smuggling · looting · profiteering · predatory · pillaging · infringement · contraband · black market
Community wisdom across generations
- endemic speciesLife found nowhere else
- rainforestsWet, dense tropical woodlands
- indigenous plantsVegetation original to area
- medicinal plantsFlora with healing properties
flora · fauna · ecosystems · tropical · habitats · endangered species · wildlife · seed banks
Legal rights over inventions
- pharmaceutical patentsLegal monopolies on medicines
- prior artPre-existing technical knowledge
- patentabilityEligibility for invention protection
- exclusivityState of being limited
licensing · monopoly · proprietary rights · trade secrets · genomics · patent law · patent infringement
Permission given with understanding
- indigenous rightsProtections for original inhabitants
- cultural heritageInherited collective traditions
- bioethicsMoral philosophy for medicine
- justiceFair treatment under law
reciprocity · accountability · transparency · stewardship · fairness · equity · CBD · ethical sourcing
Firms producing medicinal drugs
- multinational corporationsBusinesses operating in multiple countries
- agribusinessCommercial farming sector
- biotech firmsBusinesses applying biological research
- MonsantoAgricultural biotechnology corporation
research institutions · profit motive · commercialization · commodification · clinical trials · drug development
neocolonialism
Indirect foreign domination
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- extractionAct of removing
- Global SouthEconomically disadvantaged nations collectively
developing nations · power imbalance · cultural appropriation · colonial legacy · resource exploitation · indigenous rights · land rights
extraction
Act of removing
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- plunderGoods seized violently
poaching · smuggling · looting · profiteering · predatory · pillaging · infringement · contraband · black market
traditional knowledge
Community wisdom across generations
- endemic speciesLife found nowhere else
- rainforestsWet, dense tropical woodlands
- indigenous plantsVegetation original to area
medicinal plants · flora · fauna · ecosystems · tropical · habitats · endangered species · wildlife · seed banks · germplasm
intellectual property
Legal rights over inventions
- pharmaceutical patentsLegal monopolies on medicines
- prior artPre-existing technical knowledge
- patentabilityEligibility for invention protection
exclusivity · licensing · monopoly · proprietary rights · trade secrets · genomics · patent law · patent infringement
informed consent
Permission given with understanding
- indigenous rightsProtections for original inhabitants
- cultural heritageInherited collective traditions
- bioethicsMoral philosophy for medicine
justice · reciprocity · accountability · transparency · stewardship · fairness · equity · CBD · ethical sourcing
pharmaceutical companies
Firms producing medicinal drugs
- multinational corporationsBusinesses operating in multiple countries
- agribusinessCommercial farming sector
- biotech firmsBusinesses applying biological research
Monsanto · research institutions · profit motive · commercialization · commodification · clinical trials · drug development
- bio-biology, biography, biodegradable, biofuel, biochemistry
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- bioethicsbioethics, medical ethics, genetic engineering, beneficence, non-maleficence
- academic fraudplagiarism, academic dishonesty, exam cheating, fake degrees, diploma mills
- bioregulationFDA approval, drug approval, biosafety, bioethics, human subjects
- Indigenous Heritageindigenous knowledge, ancestral knowledge, ancestral wisdom, oral traditions, creation stories
biopiracysustainable development
Meeting needs without exhausting resources
indigenous sovereignty · fair trade · collaborative research
biopiracyconservation
Preventing waste or loss
environmental stewardship · sustainable harvesting · preservation · ecosystem protection · sustainable development