Tropical Environments in the Anthropocene

What is bioprospecting?

Tropical plants and animals, and the genetic/protein information they carry, are commonly used to develop drugs or crops, which are then patented and commercialised as products.

Name some types of local/indigenous knowledge that has potential commercial or research value?

Environmental data (land, ecosystems, species), individual data (health, legal, social), and collective data (culture, language, ancestral knowledge).

Define biopiracy

Happens when knowledge is used without permission from indigenous/local people and there is inadequate profit-sharing

Between which 2 parties is biopiracy most common?

In wealthy, technology-rich countries and multi-national companies and from less affluent, bioresource-rich countries 

Biopiracy has roots in what?

Colonialism - western colonial powers have long profited from local knowledge via trading companies

Give me 4 examples of Biopiracy?

Quinine, turmeric, Neem tree seed extract, Iboga

Explain the example of biopiracy, Quinine?

Antimalaria drug from the bark of Andean Tree Cinchona officinalis. Allegedly discovered in early 17th Century by Spanish Jesuit priests but was introduced to them by native Quechua, Cañari and Chimú tribes.

explain the biopiracy example, Turmeric?

Used as a spice and medicine by Indians for centuries, but 1985 patented by the University of Mississippi Medical Centre for wound healing. Withdrawn by the US Patent and Trademark Office in 1997 due to lack of novelty (but took more than a decade all the while they were profiting).

explain the biopiracy example, Neem Tree Extract?

Used by Indian farmers for over 2000 years but in 1994 patented by US company as an antifungal spray Neemax. Overturned in 2000.

Describe the recent biopiracy example, Iboga?

This is a plant native to Gabon where is it used in rituals (Bwiti religion), but now suggested it can be a treatment for substance use disorders and addictions

Name 3 consequences of biospiracy?

1. Can disrupt biodiversity conservation efforts

2. Deprives countries of the means to derive benefits from, develop and sustain their natural resources

3. Excludes local identity from the use of indigenous resources and reduce/remove access of locals to their resources

What is helicopter/parachute science?

When traditional knowledge is stolen in scientific disciplines, especially geography, biology, conservation and related sciences.

How did colonialism impact helicopter science?

During the 17-20th centuries, most of the tropical world was divided into colonial possessions of a few European countries. This period saw massive growth of biological and geographical exploration of the world; all of the data and specimens collected during this time were brought back home to colonial powers.

Explain a key example of helicopter science during the 18th century?

In Darwins On the Origin of Species (1859) he did not mention the locals, referring to indigenous people as savages and barbarians.

4 ways to avoid helicopter research?

Co-produce - before starting a project in a new location, contact local researchers and communities, invite them to collab and co-develop a research agenda

Collab on grants and papers - acknowledge their contribution

Build capacity - talk to locals, be respectful of the time they invest in talking to you, think about what you can offer in return (e.g. access to research insights)

Appreciate the situation of local collaborators

What is the CBD and when was it founded?

Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) - it is a an agreement that establishes frameworks for nations to share the benefits derived from natural resources, balancing ownership with global stewardship.

Who has signed the CBD?

196 parties (in 2025), including nearly all countries except the USA, which has signed but not ratified the treaty.

Key features of the CBD?

It is legally binding - parties are obligated to meet the treaty’s objectives through national policies and action plans.

Respect for sovereignty - recognises sovereign rights of states over biological resources

Describe the Nagoya Protocol

Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their utilization, also known as the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a 2010 supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted in Nagoya, Japan; came to force in 2014.

What is the ABS bilateral mechanism in the Nagoya protocol?

A country-to-country framework where users (like researchers or companies) get genetic resources from provider countries only by following clear rules.

What are the main things you have to do within the Nagoya Protocol?

Get all necessary permits and follow all guidelines that are in place in the country - most likely needing a local collaborator to navigate them

Need to co-produce and counter sign a Material Transfer Agreement, Access and benefit sharing agreement, before research starts

Maintain any records of any collections or transactions made as you may be inspected by a regulator - need to be retained for 20 years.

Concerns of the Nagoya protocol

• Added bureaucracy due to this legislation could be damaging to the monitoring and collection of biodiversity, to conservation, to the international response to infectious diseases, and to research. 

• Some communities feel like they do not benefit from this directly enough – decisions made are removed from “on the ground” needs and considerations. Move to other schemes. 

• Animal health/welfare is not considered 

• Benefit-sharing - it may take years for benefits to materialize from research and development processes 

• Absence of a global baseline for benefits generated and very little documentation - difficult to verify success/failure 

The way forward to prevent biopiracy/helicopter research and poorer areas being exploited?

• Integrate local peoples as citizen scientists, stakeholders and custodians. Capacity building and providing resources to some of the most biodiverse regions 

• Promote associations representing local peoples and indigenous communities (IP & LCs) at higher level discussions, e.g. ANTAR and reference group for water and indigenous peoples 

• Support associations representing scientists from disadvantaged tropical regions, e.g. Association of African Universities (European headquarters are at UoN) 

• Use frameworks like the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance or the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).