Biopiracy may be defined as the robbery of indigenous knowledge of nature, naturally-occurring biological resources and genetic materials of a country by the technologically advanced country or organisation for commercial purpose or profit without any permission from or air compensation recognition to the peoples or nations in whose territory the materials were originally developed.

Biopiracy is the illegal use of bioresources by big organisations and multinational companies without any compensatory payments to the country from where it is relevant. It is the commercial exploitation of the biopatents or the biological resources of a nation by some organisations or companies, without proper authorisation. It is the practice of exploiting naturally occurring genetic or biochemical material in commerce. Most indigenous people have traditional knowledge that mainly involves genetic diversity and natural environment biological features from generation to generation. Governments grant the rights and patents to confident investors as permission to use an invention for commercial purposes. Brazzein protein, neem, basmati rice, turmeric are all very good examples of biopiracy. These issues are governed by GEAC and dealt as ethical issues.

Biopatent refers to the legal right given to the owner for a biological discovery or a biological product. In other words, it is a patent guaranteed by the government to use biological entities and products legally. The idea of biopatent reduces the risk of biopiracy. It occurs when researchers or research organisations take biological resources without official sanction, largely from less affluent countries or marginalised people.

Use of bioresources without authorisation

Distribution of bioresources fairly

Patenting bioresources with authorisation

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Statement-I: Indian Government has set up organisation such as GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee), which will make decisions regarding the validity of GM research and safety of introducing GM organisms for public services.

Statement-II: Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem.

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Important Questions on Biotechnology and its Applications

MEDIUM

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Define biopiracy.

HARD

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

In India, the organisation responsible for assessing the safety of introducing genetically modified organisms for public use is:

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

A 'new' variety of rice was patented by a foreign company, though such varieties have been present in India for a long time. This is related to

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Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Write on the importance of biopiracy.

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Kailash produced a new variety of herbicide to be used by farmers in fields. Whom will he approach for obtaining a bio-patent?

MEDIUM

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

What is the function of GEAC?

HARD

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Use of bioresources by multinational companies and organizations without authorisation from the concerned country and its people is called

HARD

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Give the main points on the basis of which bio patent is granted.

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

America obtained a patent for germplam of Indian Basmati rice. This process is known by which name?

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Duration of patent in India is _____ years.

MEDIUM

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

What are the conditions of biopatent?

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Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

The laws and rules to prevent unauthorised exploitation of bioresources are termed as:

MEDIUM

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

What is biopiracy?

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Define biopatent.

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Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

What are the two unique facets of Bio-Patency?

MEDIUM

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

What is meant by bioethics? Mention one bioethical concern.

MEDIUM

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

"Biopiracy should be prevented". Analyse the above statement by giving three points.

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Biopiracy is

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Some multinational companies have exploited the traditional knowledge of the indigenous people to produce commercially important bioproducts, without their consent. This is an example of;

EASY

Biology>Biotechnology>Biotechnology and its Applications>Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Which body of the Government of India regulates GM research and safety of introducing GM organisms for public services?

Important Questions on Biotechnology and its Applications

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