Bioprospecting vs. Biopiracy — What's the Difference?

Scientific research that involves studying natural substances for potential industrial application.

The act of exploiting natural resources without the consent of indigenous people.

The exploration of biological resources for commercially valuable genetic and biochemical properties.

The practice of commercially exploiting naturally occurring biochemical or genetic material while failing to provide fair compensation to the community.

The use of traditional knowledge to guide the search for new resources.

Ethical and legal issues arising from the extraction of bioresources without permission.

Ethically sourced biotechnological research and development.

Stealing knowledge from traditional cultures without proper recognition or remuneration.

The practice of searching for plant and animal species from which medicinal drugs and other commercially valuable compounds can be obtained.

Unauthorized use or commercial exploitation of biological materials.

Bioprospecting (also known as biodiversity prospecting) is the exploration of natural sources for small molecules, macromolecules and biochemical and genetic information that could be developed into commercially valuable products for the agricultural, aquaculture, bioremediation, cosmetics, nanotechnology, or pharmaceutical industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, almost one third of all small-molecule drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1981 and 2014 were either natural products or compounds derived from natural products.Terrestrial plants, fungi and actinobacteria have been the focus of many past bioprospecting programs, but interest is growing in less explored ecosystems (e.g.

Biopiracy (also known as scientific colonialism) is defined as the unauthorized appropriation of knowledge and genetic resources of farming and indigenous communities by individuals or institutions seeking exclusive monopoly control through patents or intellectual property. While bioprospecting is the act of exploring natural resources for undiscovered chemical compounds with medicinal or anti-microbial properties, commercial success from bioprospecting leads to the company's attempt at protecting their intellectual property rights on indigenous medicinal plants, seeds, genetic resources, and traditional medicines.Moreover, if biological resources and traditional knowledge are taken from indigenous or marginalized groups, the commercialization of their natural resource can harm communities.

The attempt to discover in living organisms biochemicals or genetic sequences that have medical, agricultural, or industrial value.

The commercial development of biological compounds or genetic sequences by a technologically advanced country or organization without obtaining consent from or providing fair compensation to the peoples or nations in whose territory the materials were discovered.

(biology) The methodical search for novel pharmaceutical (and other) products from plants and microorganisms.

(pejorative) The appropriation of indigenous biomedical knowledge, especially by patenting naturally occurring substances.

Biological theft; illegal collection of indigenous plants by corporations who patent them for their own use

Bioprospecting is conducted ethically with agreements and fair compensation, while biopiracy involves exploitation without consent or benefit-sharing.

Bioprospecting is the ethical research and development based on biological resources, often involving a partnership with indigenous populations for mutual benefit.

Bioprospecting can lead to discoveries of new medicines and technologies that benefit humanity, while also providing economic benefits to source communities.

Indigenous communities often provide traditional knowledge and resources, playing a critical role in guiding and facilitating ethical bioprospecting.

The Convention on Biological Diversity helps regulate bioprospecting by setting standards for fair benefit-sharing and consent, whereas biopiracy often violates these principles.

Strengthening international and local laws, ensuring community engagement, and promoting transparency can help prevent biopiracy.

It provides a basis for drug discovery and development, which can lead to new, effective medical treatments.

Nations implement regulatory frameworks and participate in international agreements to safeguard their biological wealth.

Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized and unethical extraction and commercialization of biological resources, typically from developing countries, without fair compensation.

Biopiracy can lead to loss of biodiversity, economic deprivation of local communities, and erosion of trust between nations and cultures.

By promoting sustainable use of resources and benefiting local economies, bioprospecting can contribute to conservation and sustainable development goals.

Agreements that include benefit-sharing, community involvement, and respect for traditional knowledge are essential to ethical bioprospecting practices.

Issues include ensuring informed consent, fair compensation, and sustainable harvesting of resources.

The primary concerns include exploitation, lack of compensation, and violation of sovereign rights.

Well-known cases include the unauthorized use of neem and turmeric by multinational corporations without compensation to the native populations.