Indigenous Peoples: "patenting medicines"

[ComradeMan]

Just to add to more sneaky shit that gets done to indigenous peoples. Did you know that traditional medicines and herbal products are being patented so that the indigenous peoples who "discovered" them actually have no rights to use these products or market them in order to improve their situation?

This is know as "biopiracy" and India is one nation that has moved against this sort of thing.

[Bud Struggle]

Just to add to more sneaky shit that gets done to indigenous peoples. Did you know that traditional medicines and herbal products are being patented so that the indigenous peoples who "discovered" them actually have no rights to use these products or market them in order to improve their situation?

This is know as "biopiracy" and India is one nation that has moved against this sort of thing.

You would think some liberal lawyers would patent the entire rainforest for the native people.

[Revolution starts with U]

Yes, I learned about this a lot in class. THe school of anthrolpolgy is up in arms over this issue.
Just another example of the theft of capitalism, and it's inherent need for artificial scarcity.

[Havet]

This is know as "biopiracy" and India is one nation that has moved against this sort of thing.

Well imo that's a stupid term for it.

Piracy is usually refered to as a war-like act committed by private parties (not affiliated with any government). I'm guessing these corporations are affiliated with governments, in order to be able to enforce this type of property rights.

It would be better to call biopiracy the act of indigenous people not operating under these property laws in order to at least have access to knowledge of nature they discovered. That should be the very least.

But its already too late to change terms given that Greenpeace (http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/issues/GE/overview/causes/corporate/patents-and-biopiracy) is already using it to mean what you defined above.

The only way out of this situation is to abolish patents and any sort of intellectual property, as well as the monopoly these corporations apparently have, so that they can get away without agknowledging the indigenous people.

[Bud Struggle]

Well imo that's a stupid term for it.

Piracy is usually refered to as a war-like act committed by private parties (not affiliated with any government). I'm guessing these corporations are affiliated with governments, in order to be able to enforce this type of property rights.

Well it's the govdernments that grant the patents. Also, I don't think you have to demolish the entire economic system to fix this--all you have to do is change the parent laws--just a suggestion.

[Havet]

Well it's the govdernments that grant the patents. Also, I don't think you have to demolish the entire economic system to fix this--all you have to do is change the parent laws--just a suggestion.

And how do you propose to change the laws? By electing officials that represent people's views on that matter?

How's that working out?

[Dean]

It's ok. The known human DNA sequence is patented. I don't see anything wrong with allowing a minority of businesses to control the information about our bodies that could lead to the development of medicine.

[Apoi_Viitor]

And how do you propose to change the laws? By electing officials that represent people's views on that matter?

How's that working out?

You know, it is possible to create some political change without having to overthrow the entire system...

[Havet]

You know, it is possible to create some political change without having to overthrow the entire system...

Name one country that has overthrown its copyright and IP laws through representative democracy

It is well documented (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft) how settled interests do pretty much anything to keep their power and privilege

[Apoi_Viitor]

Name one country that has overthrown its copyright and IP laws through representative democracy

It is well documented (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft) how settled interests do pretty much anything to keep their power and privilege

I said "some change", not the overhaul of all IP laws...

EX: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=2169

[Havet]

I said "some change", not the overhaul of all IP laws...

EX: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=2169

This is indeed a good victory, but how will it be ensured that future attempts will not be able to force this sort of genetic patents? That corporations will not be able to buy-out the united nations and proceed with bio'piracy'?

[Lt. Ferret]

its not like theyre going to take your calcium out of your bones.