Bioprospecting vs. Biopiracy
Bioprospecting and Biopiracy Definitions
Bioprospecting
The attempt to discover in living organisms biochemicals or genetic sequences that have medical, agricultural, or industrial value.
Biopiracy
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.
Bioprospecting
(biology) The methodical search for novel pharmaceutical (and other) products from plants and microorganisms.
Biopiracy
(pejorative) The appropriation of indigenous biomedical knowledge, especially by patenting naturally occurring substances.
Biopiracy
Biological theft; illegal collection of indigenous plants by corporations who patent them for their own use
