Brazil accuses Amazon scientists (& NGOs) of theft

[nosmokes]

Kudos to Brazil for standing up to biopiracy!Sure this is just a tiny step and lord only knows how much might be ignored, but this is most definitely a step forward.

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original-thescotsman

Brazil accuses Amazon scientists of theft



By Stan Lehman
in São Paulo
Intelligence agency claims that environmentalists are committing biopiracy by selling indigenous knowledge to pharmaceutical firms, while one religious group is said to be endangering the ethnic identity of Indians.
BRAZIL'S intelligence service has accused non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the Amazon rainforest of biopiracy – the theft of yet-to-be catalogued species for commercial profit.

The Brazilian Intelligence Agency monitored 25 NGOs during the last six months of 2007 and said it had found evidence that they had transferred indigenous people's knowledge of plants and animals to pharmaceutical companies.

It also said there was evidence of groups affiliated to NGOs being involved in the illegal extraction of diamonds on indigenous land, and it accused religious groups of activities that endanger the ethnic identity of Indian communities.

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complete article here