To Our Future Scientists: A Global Bio-Problem
Writer: Jessica Chen
Editor: Angela Yue
Hi Havergal’s future scientists,
In this short paper I will present a global problem and I hope that it will teach you something new about common biology resources and their future as well as probably challenge your thinking a bit.
Do you know?
In today's era of globalization and advanced biotechnology, human genetic data has become one of the world’s most valuable sharing resources. The place where these diverse datasets and samples are held is called the biobank, and this data serves multiple purposes: from developing life-saving drugs to creating innovative approaches that enhance public health, this information holds infinite potential. However, considering the very nature of sharing genetic data on a global scale inevitably raises a serious question: how can we manage this resource ethically while benefiting globally to the greatest extent?
The fact is that I do not know the exact answer. Nobody knows the exact answer. However, this paper will serve as a brief analysis of the issue and provide you with a few insights and solutions from other organizations to help you think further.
In exploring this question, it is necessary for us to understand a term: biopiracy. Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized or unethical use of genetic resources and related traditional knowledge, such as plant or human DNA.
One such example of biopiracy at play is the mostly known case of the Indian neem tree patent. A company applied for a patent for traditional knowledge related to the medicinal properties of the neem tree without acknowledging the indigenous peoples who have used it for natural medicines and pesticides. In fact, these communities could have obtained recognition and fair compensation for their contribution based on this plant from the WIPO Treaty. Clearly, the original contributors rarely receive recognition or benefits. This example mirrors other models of sharing global resources, such as fisheries or polar minerals, and it's clear that such injustices have worsened in recent years. So, you might ask: what actions are people taking?
Let’s take a closer look at two of the most well-known international legal frameworks that aim to mitigate these risks. Firstly, the Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity mandates “prior informed consent and fair benefit-sharing for the use of genetic resources”. Meanwhile, the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge asks patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources used in inventions to secure equality and credibility of information. It is obvious that both measures acknowledge that genetic resources, as a key component of global public goods, require collective management, property protection, and equitable governance to prevent misuse while promoting innovation and development.
By saying so, we are still on our way in exploring and solving these global issues. While they are not something that high school students can solve for now, I believe that the learning we do at Havergal through our courses can be the foundation in preparing us to think critically about these kinds of issues. In the future, we will be able to contribute to solving these problems with our greatest abilities.
References:
Ccraig. (2020, March 20). Biopiracy: IP and appropriation from the Global South. IPOsgoode. https://www.yorku.ca/osgoode/iposgoode/2020/03/19/biopiracy-ip-and-appropriation-from-the-global-south/
Section 2. (n.d.-c). https://navdanyainternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SECTION-2-BIOPIRACY-BG-REPORT.pdf
Voropaev, K. (2024, June 13). Ethical dimensions of patents: The IMPACT OF THE WIPO treaty on genetic resources. IPWatchdog.com | Patents & Intellectual Property Law. https://ipwatchdog.com/2024/06/13/ethical-dimensions-patents-impact-wipo-treaty-genetic-resources/