TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of countries joined in the Convention on Biological Diversity in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, engaged in a heated debate on biopiracy that often happens when researchers or research organizations obtain unpermitted samples of biological resources.

Biopiracy, or bioprospecting, involves activities of exploiting plants and animal species in order to claim patents and restrict their general use. The heated discussion at the event held from November 13-29 took an example of using genetic, agricultural, and maritime natural resources for medicinal purposes.

“The discussion was tough. It talked about sharing the benefits,” said Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) deputy chairwoman for biodiversity Enny Sudarmonowati told Tempo yesterday, Nov. 21.

Tempo was given the opportunity to cover the convention thanks to the support of Climate Tracker, a global network comprising of 10,000 young journalists reporting on climate-related issues.

Indonesia was represented by LIPI, delegates from the Environment and Forestry Ministry, Agriculture Ministry, Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Biopiracy involves smuggling microorganisms from one country to another in shoes and suitcases to be used as an antibiotic drug. Enny said that Indonesia would often miss opportunities to get involved in an international research effort, which often results in other researchers using a certain microorganism to be produced in other countries before it was able to be patented by Indonesia as the microorganism’s source of origin.

The microorganisms often get mass produced as antibiotics and are financially beneficial for the country or corporation that commercializes it.

According to the Assistant Deputy of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs Andri Wahono, developed countries that use the genetic resources from Indonesia should share its benefits to the countries that supply the essential ingredient as the Kyoto Protocol states.
“Unfortunately, there are no binding sanctions for them and countries rich with genetic resources do not receive justice,” said Andri.

SHINTA MAHARANI