Over 190 Countries Agree to New Treaty Aiming to End Biopiracy, Protect Indigenous Knowledge

A new treaty aimed at combating biopiracy has been agreed upon by over 190 countries during UN talks in Switzerland. This landmark agreement seeks to halt the exploitation of natural resources and traditional knowledge by large corporations, often at the expense of poorer nations and indigenous peoples. The treaty emerges after years of negotiation, with developing countries advocating for stronger protections of their genetic resources, such as medicinal plants. This move is a significant step towards ensuring fairer access and benefits from biodiversity.

• Over 190 countries have agreed to a new treaty to combat biopiracy at UN talks in Switzerland.
• The treaty aims to prevent large corporations from exploiting natural resources and traditional knowledge through patents.
• Developing countries have been advocating for stronger protections for their genetic resources.
• Biopiracy refers to the practice of commercializing biological materials, such as medicinal plants, without compensating the countries or communities from which they originate.
• A famous case of biopiracy involved an American company patenting a fungicide developed from the neem tree, a plant native to India and used traditionally for centuries.
• The treaty aims to make the patent application process more transparent, requiring applicants to disclose the source of genetic material and acknowledge the traditional knowledge used.
• It is hoped that the treaty will lead to greater recognition and possible compensation for indigenous communities who have safeguarded valuable plants and knowledge.

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