#57 Bio 1 X2 April 30, 2012

Biology News Daily

Assignment 2 Page 1 of 2

BIOPIRACY IN THE PHILIPPINES

by Jona Nichole Lovino
The Philippines is one of the most diverse countries in terms of flora and fauna. This has given the Filipinos an opportunity to explore the different uses of these resources, most of which are inherent to the country. Many indigenous communities have in fact health practices which have been proven to effective by modern medical societies.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of budget and resources, different countries are able to explore these first thereby seizing from us the opportunity to gain sizeable income. Instead, the country simply allows foreigners to secure patents to our medicinal plants and reap billions in profits, also known as biopiracy, and it is happening right under our nose. Common examples are the ylang-ylang plant and Milagrosa rice. The ylang-ylang plant, used in the manufacturing of perfumes, is now marketed by France; while, the Milagrosa rice, a high-quality and aromatic variety of rice, is now marketed by Thailand. Erithomycin, which was discovered by a Filipino scientist by isolating it from molds in soil of Iloilo, was developed by an American pharmaceutical company, sharing nothing to the Philippines but the namesake of the product, Ilosone. Another native plant biopirated is the banaba,

(Source: perfumeshrine.blogspot.com)

Above: Ylang-ylang plant

Inset: YSL Eau de Toilette

(Source: au.strawberrynet.com)

#57 Bio 1 X2 April 30, 2012

Biology News Daily

Assignment 2 Page 2 of 2

which is being marketed in Japan as a supplement to decrease blood sugar. And the list goes on. Mt. Pulog had been the interest of many foreign researchers. One time, 300 plant samples from the mountain were collected by unidentified Japanese; while, American researchers had discovered mountain dew (Taxus sumatran) and are now studying its anticancer properties. Palawan has also been a favourite hunting ground by biopirates; also, the marine life in Siquijor, Batanes, Pangasinan, Samar and Leyte are not spared. A controversial case of biopiracy in the country is the interest of US pharmaceutical companies on acquiring gene samples of Aetas, who are reportedly resistant to malaria and leprosy.

Intellectual Property Office, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Botany Division of the National Museum, Conservation International, and National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants. Since the country is more accustomed to oral traditions in passing knowledge from generation to generation, the proposed digital library will protect the countrys medicinal plants, preventing biopiracy and at the same time, educating people on local medicinal plants. By posting the information in a public domain such as the proposed library, the Philippines will be given the right to it. Local medicinal plants include: ampalaya or bitter gourd, which is effective in treating diabetes; lagundi, for fever, asthma and headache; sambong, for gaseous stomachs, headache and fever; akapulco, for wound washing and itches; yerba buena, for cough, toothache, dizziness and arthritis. In the meantime, local authorities should not allow foreign investors to pirate the plant-based medicinal discoveries the countrys scientists have developed. It is also possible that NGOs might be helping these foreign pirates in acquiring samples. An instance was in 1992, when an NGO assisted in the collection of sea squirts, which are being studied for their anti-cancer properties. Low awareness is a big factor in these situations. It is the responsibility of these organizations to educate people on biopiracy.

Group of Aeta people (circa 1910)

(Source: liveinthephilippines.com)

This is a lesson the countrys herbal and drug experts learned the hard way. To prevent cases of biopiracy from occurring again, nine local groups are joining efforts to establish the Philippines own Traditional Knowledge Digital Library on health, a step originally taken by India who had also experienced biopiracy. This would document local medicinal plants used by traditional healers, locally called albularios. Experts will be coming from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, University of the Philippines, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau,

Reference: http://simbahayan.tripod.com/B5-biopiracy05.html http://www.mb.com.ph/node/10155