THE APPROPRIATION OF GENETIC HERITAGE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE: THE BIOPIRACY

Abstract

With the advancement of biotechnology and the ambition to obtain a profit, there is biopiracy, which is the extortion of genetic resources from nations rich in biodiversity, such as Brazil, with the purpose of obtaining patents on inventions originated from material genetic and/or knowledge of traditional communities linked to the management of biodiversity. Thus, this article aims to discuss biopiracy in Brazil, through a bibliographic research, emphasizing inherent points: man/nature relationship, biodiversity and bioprospecting. We have witnessed the destruction of natural resources at ever higher levels, driven mainly by the capital system in which we are immersed. From the moment that man aims at the appropriation of natural resources in order to produce goods, there is a transformation of the man/nature relationship. In this scenario, the Convention on Biological Diversity appears, recognizing the sovereignty of each country over the genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge allocated in its territory. It was concluded that there is still a long way to go in search of the effectiveness of the CBD and that through the encouragement of ethical and fair bioprospecting, the sustainable exploitation of biodiversity becomes a path for the sustainable development of Brazil, bringing benefits to the three pillars: economic, social and environmental.