7th August 2009

Peru protects its traditional knowledge, according to ICTSD

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LIVING IN PERU

By Isabel Guerra

Peru has blocked several foreign companies from securing patents on products they say were developed using Peruvian traditional knowledge (TK), according to a press release from the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development ( ICTSD).

This an example of how coordinated action between the state, the business sector and civil society can prevent inappropriately granted patents related to genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

National and international recognition and protection of TK is a critical issue in Peru, who is among ten countries with the most extensive biodiversity in the world.

Many interest groups argue that the new regulations implemented with the FTAs are exposing native biodiversity, and the traditional knowledge of it, to bioprospecting and patenting.

Cusco regional government released new laws against biopiracy that support the protection of indigenous knowledge.

“Local governments can create the appropriate legal and institutional framework to ensure that biopiracy does not prey on the creativity of indigenous peoples and local communities,” said Alejandro Argumedo, director of Asociacion ANDES, a Cusco-based indigenous organisation.

The complete press release can be found here.