Confronting Biopiracy

Daniel F. Robinson is Lecturer at the Institute of Environmental Studies, University of New South Wales, Australia

'Biopiracy has emerged as a powerful concept inspiring critical perspectives on the commercial use of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. But what does it really mean? This well-researched and thoughtful book provides a thorough investigation of the theory and practice of biopiracy that scholars and policymakers alike will find illuminating.' Graham Dutfield, Professor of International Governance, University of Leeds, UK 'Daniel Robinson's timely and authoritative book will inform the contemporary, but until now unproductive, discussions in WIPO and the WTO about ways in which spurious intellectual property claims over biological resources and traditional knowledge can be sanctioned as 'biopiracy'.' Michael Blakeney, Herchel Smith Professor of Intellectual Property, Queen Mary, University of London, UK 'The book is engaging, thoroughly researched, and well organized and an excellent and accessible read for scientists, industry managers, policy makers, and community leaders. It is also unusually evenhanded.' -Kate Davis, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, in 'Conservation Biology'.'An essential guide to the complex legislation that has made biopiracy possible.'-Chris Edwards, Engineering & Technology'The book is thorough, detailed and well researched and lends renewed credibility to the biopiracy discourse. It will provide a useful resource for students and teachers with an academic interest in bioprospecting and its legal and ethical dimensions.' - Tim O’Higgins, Biological Conservation 'For anyone who is interested in the topic of biopiracy, this book is a must read.' Paul Elliott, Journal of Biological Education'Drawing on the case studies, and using convincing arguments, the author shows how biopiracy leads to injustice and inequity in the use of genetic materials and knowledge around them, in addition to over-exploitation of the biodiversity. A key reason for inequity is, as the author demonstrates, the exclusion of the developing country producers from the production and sale of the genetic material after a patent is established elsewhere. And the book also points to the overlapping of legal jurisdiction of patenting and compliance, which further disadvantages the communities and public agencies in the developing countries.' - Hemant R Ojha, Asia Pacific Viewpoint The University of New South Wales, Australia

• Introduction  1. Collecting; Prospecting; Piracy  2. International Legal Backdrop  3. Patent-Related Biopiracy Cases  4. Non-Patent Biopiracy Cases  5. Implications and Ethical Dilemmas: What have the Cases Shown?  6. Current Debates and Ways Forward: Internationally and Regionally  7. Current Debates and Ways Forward: National and Local Approaches.  Conclusions