Morals, Ethics, and Policies: Intellectual Property Rights and Agri-Biotech

Th e question of ownership over life is the most obvious and important issue.

However, there are many other issues, such as the need to ensure that there are adequate safeguards for the environment and people in the use of biotechnology, prior informed consent of the custodians of genetic resources such as the local farmers, and how to ensure that there is equity in the use of technology. Th e complex legal, social, and economic ramifi cations of biotechnology need attention if the benefi ts of this technology are to be equitable and the technology is to fully contribute to sustainable development.