Experts warn against universal patents

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Biodiversity experts have strongly opposed the idea of a supranational world patent regime arguing that it would kill the local scientific talent and make government-funded res-earch more expensive.

“A universal world patent would not stimulate local inventors as they seldom get to the global markets with their inventions. Public-funded research will become more expensive and badly affect advanced developing countries and least developed ones,” point out biodiversity resear-chers from the Norway-based Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI).

India is an advanced developing country and supranational world patent system will badly hit not only its mega diversity but also its research activities.

The FNI has been collaborating with the Chennai-based Centre for Biodi-versity Policy and Law (CEBPOL). FNI resear-chers Morten Walloe Tvedt, Kristin Rosendal, Regine Andersen and others have come out with research studies, which warn that a universal world patent would be a huge benefit for multinational companies seeking worldwide exclusive monopolies.

As per an FNI fact-sheet, extensive patenting of biological material, genetic resour-ces, biological processes and knowledge would challenge the sovereign right to genetic resources. A world patent describes an exclusive right granted to one individual company or person by one centralised institution, which at once becomes legally binding for all citizens in all the countries subscribing to the system. It is enforceable upon every private person and public institution globally.

Currently, there is not one single coherent world patent system, but rather a number of nation-specific systems tied together by international harmonisation and regional cooperation.

Experts: gm does not increase productivity

Genetic Modification (GM) does not increase crop productivity, though it does control particular insects. However, we do not require GM to control pests as we have other alternatives and GM is not a solution to the problem of hunger, said environmentalists.

Dr V.S. Vijayan, the former chair of the Kerala Biodiversity Board said, “GM creates health hazards. None of the experiments done on animals so far have shown positive signs. All animals developed problems. Their kidneys, livers and other organs were affected and cattle in Gujarat that were fed on Bt cotton had abortions.”

According to environment experts, the cost of GM inputs is also very high. GM cotton seeds cost between Rs1,700 to Rs2,000 whereas native seeds cost only about Rs400. Moreover, farmers using GM seeds have to use pesticides and this increases the cost.

“India should not allow any GM inputs for the next 50 years till we learn about the impact of GM crops,” said Dr Vijayan.

P.V. Satheesh, the national convener of Southern Action on Genetic Engin-eering (SAGE) said, “The latest GM study on rats showed that the animals developed tumours.”