biopiracy

[ bahy-oh-pahy-ruh-see ]

noun

1. the commercial exploitation or monopolization of biological or genetic material, as medicinal plant extracts, usually without compensating the Indigenous peoples or countries from which the material or relevant knowledge is obtained.

biopiracy

/ ˈbaɪəʊˌpaɪrəsɪ /

noun

1. the use of wild plants by international companies to develop medicines, without recompensing the countries from which they are taken

Other Words From

• bi·o·pi·rate [bahy, -oh-pahy-rit], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of biopiracy¹

First recorded in 1990–95; bio- ( def ) + piracy ( def )

Example Sentences

But not all nations have the ability to harvest or study them, and delegates from developing nations want to suppress ‘biopiracy’ — wealthy nations harvesting materials from just outside their territories and reaping the benefits.

From Scientific American

Environmental experts have described the planned export of the trees as "biopiracy".

From BBC

Most culture collections have mechanisms to prevent biopiracy.

From Science Magazine

They will also have to consider two other issues related to biopiracy: how to ensure equal access to marine genetic resources and how to share benefits from them.

From Nature

Further, we document the characters and properties of each variety and register the landraces in the name of farmers to preclude any biopiracy patents on them.

From Scientific American