Ignorning our traditional. Knowledge can be prove costly in the area of biological patenting. Justify.

Explanation

Human communitities have always generated, refined and passed on the knowledge from generation to generation such knowledge is called tradional knowledge and is often an important part of the cultural identities. A number of cases relating to traditional knowledge have attracted intermational attention.
As a result, the issue of traditional knowledge has been brough to the general debate surrounding intelleutual propetry These cases involve, what is often referred to as biopiracy.
The examples of tumeric and neem (Indian traditional herbal medicine) illustrates the issues that can arise wen patent protection is granted to invention relating to traditional herbar medicine) illustrate the issues that can arise when patent protection is granted to inventions relating to traditional knowledge which is already in the public doman. in these cases. invalied patents were issued because the patent examiners were not aware or the relevant traditional knowledge.
e.g., india is one of the country possessing the richest diversity of rice (2000 varieties). Basmati rice is distinct for its unique aroma and flavour and 27 documented varieties of Basmati are grown in india. there is reference to Basmati in ancient texts. folklore and poetry, as it has been grwon for centuries.
In 1997, an American company Rice teen. Got patent rights of Basmati rice throgh the US patent and Trademark office. this allowed the company to sell a new variety of Basmati in the US abroad.
This new variety of Basmati had actually been derived from indian farmer's varieties. Indian Basmati was crossed with semi-dwarf varieties and clailmed as an invention or a noveity. The patent extends to functional equivalents. implying that other people selling Basmati rice could be restricted by the patent.
if we are not vigliant and we do not immediately counter these patent applications, other contries/individuals may encash on our rich legacy and we may not be able to do anything about it.
However, India acheived success in contesting patent for Basmati rice as on September 2000 rice teen withdraw the claims contested by india. therefore, ignoring our traditional knowledge can be proved costly in the area of biological patenting.