Medicinal plant genetic resources and international cooperation: the Brazilian perspective.
Brazil is a gene rich country, host to 24% of known primate species, between 10 and 15 million species of insects, and 22% of the world's higher plant species. The debate over how and by whom these resources should be protected has intensified over the last few years due to a growing awareness of the links between sustainable utilization of natural resources, conservation of biodiversity, and economic development. Within this context the pharmaceutical exploitation of natural products for drug development has a prominent place. For a significant portion of Brazilian society, fair cooperation is welcome and can facilitate drug discovery. Nevertheless, the complexity of the consequences of patenting and utilization of natural resources calls for a thorough cost/benefit analysis in order to promote policies that can ensure significant and long term benefits for the country.
Elisabetsky
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Departamento de Farmacologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Costa-Campos
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D001938:Brazil; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics; D004467:Economics; D017753:Ecosystem; D018973:Intellectual Property; D007391:International Cooperation; D010330:Patents as Topic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010598:Pharmacognosy / Q000191:economics; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000235:genetics*; D011640:Public Policy; D013660:Taxes
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations