16 December, 1999
The Editor All Africa News Agency
Dear Sir,
I refer to your article Gene Banking: UK Scientists Accused of Biopiracy of 13 December 1999, and its references to the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and one of our staff lawyers, Ms. Mita Manek.
We would like to take this opportunity to correct your statements regarding the Centre and its official position regarding biopiracy and the loss of traditional knowledge. As is clearly iterated in the 1997 Charter of ACTS, we have a strict policy of not endorsing positions and findings that are not based on our own independent research. ACTS is an intergovernmental organization whose mission is to enlarge policy options for African
countries to implement technology related provisions of Agenda 21. As part of our activities, we assist countries in drafting access legislation in an advisory capacity. Understandably therefore we do not take definite positions on issues of this nature.
Regarding the statements on the Kenya RBG-Kew MTA, Ms. Manek has never had any involvement in the same neither in her official or personal capacity and consequently has never made any statements or expressed any opinions regarding its nature. Further, Ms. Manek has never to her knowledge provided any information whatsoever to the All Africa News Agency or to any representative thereof and categorically rejects the statements attributed to her in the context of the article.
We hope that you will take steps to rectify the wrong impression given in the said article.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
John Mugabe Mita Manek Executive DirectorResearch Fellow
c.c.Mr.Juma Kwayera National Council for Science and Technology Royal Botanical Gardens - Kew Genetic Resources Action International