Bio Piracy: Why You Should Care

After halting the export of 8 baobab trees, the government has finally okayed the exportation. A lot of noise had led to the halting of the export but it finally seems different parties have settled the matter. So is this a win or a loss for Kenya?

You can read about the sale here. While the government maintains it is not biopiracy, conservationists have a different idea. Some baobab trees are categorised as endangered and thus may be as controversial as they come. Any way, what is biopiracy and should you care about the baobabs being exported to Georgia?

Biopiracy is the illegal practice of extracting, patenting, and profiting from natural resources and traditional knowledge without compensating the original creators or stewards of the resources. In this piece, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages and will leave you to decide whether it was a goo move by the government.

Advantages of Biopiracy

The most significant advantage of biopiracy is the economic gain it provides to the perpetrators. By extracting and patenting natural resources or traditional knowledge, companies can profit significantly from the sale of products or services based on those resources. This, in turn, can generate jobs and stimulate economic growth in the short term. Additionally, biopiracy can promote innovation and scientific advancement, as companies invest resources in research and development to create new products based on these resources.

Another advantage of biopiracy is that it can help to spread knowledge about the resources and their potential benefits. Through biopiracy, the resources can reach a broader audience, including people who may not have known about them before. This can help to promote conservation efforts and encourage people to protect these resources from exploitation.

Disadvantages of Biopiracy

While biopiracy may provide some economic benefits in the short term, the disadvantages far outweigh them. The primary disadvantage is the exploitation of natural resources and traditional knowledge, which can lead to environmental destruction and the erosion of cultural heritage. Many communities rely on these resources for their livelihoods, and the loss of these resources can lead to poverty and other social issues. This is more so for the Kilifi community.

Biopiracy also creates a power imbalance between those who own and control the resources and those who use them. The original creators or stewards of the resources are often marginalized or excluded from the decision-making processes related to the resources, which can lead to exploitation and the loss of their cultural heritage. (Some people were paid as little as Ksh.100000 for the tree)

Another disadvantage of biopiracy is that it can stifle innovation and scientific advancement. Companies that engage in biopiracy often hoard the resources and restrict access to them, which can limit research and development. This can hinder progress in areas such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection.

There have been several instances of biopiracy reported globally, where companies have extracted natural resources or traditional knowledge without compensating the original creators or stewards of the resources. Here are a few examples of biopiracy and their consequences:

1. Neem Tree in India: Neem is a tree native to India and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In the 1990s, the US company W.R. Grace obtained a patent on a method for using neem as a fungicide and insecticide, without acknowledging the traditional use of neem in India. This led to widespread protests and legal action in India, and the patent was eventually revoked in 2005.

2. Hoodia Cactus in South Africa: Hoodia is a cactus plant native to South Africa and is known for its appetite-suppressing properties. In the early 2000s, the US company Phytopharm obtained a patent on the use of hoodia as a weight loss supplement, without compensating the San people of South Africa, who had traditionally used the plant for medicinal purposes. This led to protests and legal action, and the patent was eventually invalidated in 2010.

Why You Should Care About Biopiracy

Biopiracy is a global issue that affects us all. The exploitation of natural resources and traditional knowledge can have severe consequences for the environment, economy, and social fabric of communities. It can also undermine ethical considerations and respect for human rights.

All parts of the baobab are useful. Nothing goes to waste.

As a nation, we have a role to play in combating biopiracy.