ABSTRACT
El artículo presenta un análisis de los derechos humanos implicados en el acceso a recursos genéticos humanos, atendiendo la perspectiva de derechos de los pueblos indígenas, a fin de plantear un diálogo intercultural que permita generar reflexiones respecto a realidades que son importantes para su supervivencia. Entendiendo que, si se pretende proponer estrategias de protección frente a las violaciones o amenazas de sus derechos humanos en relación con actividades de bioprospección humana, es necesario explorar el derecho alternativo, que no es otro que el derecho propio de los pueblos indígenas, para conectarlo con el sistema jurídico nacional e internacional
The article presents an analysis of human rights involved in access to human genetic resources, taking the perspective of the rights of indigenous peoples, to raise intercultural dialogue to generate reflections on realities that are important to their survival. Understanding that if we are to propose strategies for protection against violations or threats of human rights in relation to activities of human bioprospecting, it is necessary to explore alternative law, which is none other than the own right of indigenous peoples to connect with national and international legal system
Subject(s)
Humans , Human Rights/legislation & jurisprudence , Genetic Testing/ethics , Bioprospecting/ethics , Human Genome Project/legislation & jurisprudence , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Colombia , Indians, South American/legislation & jurisprudence , Genetic Variation , TerritorialityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Biopiracy mainly focuses on the use of biological resources and/or knowledge of indigenous tribes or communities without allowing them to share the revenues generated out of economic exploitation or other non-monetary incentives associated with the resource/knowledge. METHODS: Based on collaborations of scientists from five continents, we have created a communication platform to discuss not only scientific topics, but also more general issues with social relevance. This platform was termed 'PhytCancer -Phytotherapy to Fight Cancer' (www.phyt-cancer.uni-mainz.de). As a starting point, we have chosen the topic "biopiracy", since we feel this is of pragmatic significance for scientists working with medicinal plants. RESULTS: It was argued that the patenting of herbs or natural products by pharmaceutical corporations disregarded the ownership of the knowledge possessed by the indigenous communities on how these substances worked. Despite numerous court decisions in U.S.A. and Europe, several international treaties, (e.g. from United Nations, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, the African Unity and others), sharing of a rational set of benefits amongst producers (mainly pharmaceutical companies) and indigenous communities is yet a distant reality. In this paper, we present an overview of the legal frameworks, discuss some exemplary cases of biopiracy and bioprospecting as excellent forms of utilization of natural resources. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest certain perspectives, by which we as scientists, may contribute towards prevention of biopiracy and also to foster the fair utilization of natural resources. We discuss ways, in which the interests of indigenous people especially from developing countries can be secured.
