As it is so well indicated in the article, patentability of life is responsible for this state of affairs is .
Indeed, despite all controversies raised by intellectuals and civil society in the world, there is a current of thought favorable to this patentability in decision-making bodies and international organizations such as World Organization for Intellectual Protection (WIPO ) or World Bank. Patent universalization is increasingly presented as a means of development for countries. According to their more or less tolerant attitude towards the patentability of life, Unesco classifies countries into 3 categories. the "intransigent" (as India seems to be), the "intermediaries" and the "favorable".
This article absolutely hits the nail on the head. In the group of my taxonomic interest it is impossible to obtain new material and it is only because types are in overseas institutions that there is any hope to provide any progress on what is already known. As for the potential of new species, forget it. seems easier to destroy habitats than find anything more about their taxonomic composition. The authors seem a bit out of date with respect to Brazil where some new bureaucratic regulations have been imposed that more or less stultify free exchange of specimens that would allow international collaborations.
sir see that publication in Current Science
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/143845656.pdf
These rules and regulations are enacted to protect the rich biodiversity and help to derive benefit out of our resources. Classical taxonomist are becoming rare and under the current scenario we have to strengthen it.
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6396/1405
Paulraj Jawahar
A. K. Jaiswar
I should add that I since realized that the article referred to was some years back and so naturally could not refer to current situation in Brazil. Apologies for my oversight on that. Unfortunate that Brazil regressed.
Earlier years taxonomist eagerly and passionately worked. Now biodiversity becomes fashion and commercial. So protecting the biodiversity is imperative, In India, neem, turmeric and Basmati related issues leads to make stringent law. As per NBA act, getting approval for biological material based works become mandatory.
Taxonomic related studies are now a days become molecular based and classical taxonomist are becoming rarer. Till every species is documented , the issues like sharing the resources and genetic materials needs carefully approached. In my view, intensive support on basic studies particularly taxonomy with proper regulation/ guidance on collection/ utilization may address the issue.
Death sentence on taxonomy in India may be discussed due to negligence to taxonomy teaching in syllabi of biological sciences in most of our universities. Now a days most of the students unable to identify animal/plant species.
I do agree with Kulkarni. Further the subject is difficult. Now the newer generation wish to proceed like molecular taxonomy which requires less work and more result.
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