Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Biopiracy
noun
/ BYE-oh-PIE-ruh-see /
Medium
Meaning
The unauthorised appropriation of traditional knowledge or genetic resources from developing countries by corporations or researchers without fair benefit-sharing
Origin / Etymology
English bio- (life) + piracy (theft), coined by Pat Mooney (1993)
Synonyms
Bioprospecting abuse
Genetic theft
Knowledge appropriation
Antonyms
Benefit-sharing
Access and benefit sharing (ABS)
Fair trade in genetic resources
Example Sentence
"India successfully challenged the US patent on turmeric's wound-healing properties in 1997, marking one of the earliest victories against biopiracy and leading to the creation of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Core concept for GS3 Environment and GS2 International Relations. Know the three landmark cases, turmeric (US, 1997), neem (EU, 2005), basmati (US, 1997). Link to Nagoya Protocol, Biological Diversity Act 2002, NBA, TKDL (3.4 lakh formulations), and IRCCs. India leads global IRCC issuance (56%).
Relevant Subjects
