THE VALUE OF SANGRE DE DRAGO

While companies like Shaman Pharmaceuticals use the traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities as part of their research strategies, the question remains as to whether the commercialisation of traditional genetic resources benefits those communities and biodiversity conservation.

While companies like Shaman Pharmaceuticals use the traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities as part of their research strategies, the question remains as to whether the commercialisation of traditional genetic resources benefits those communities and biodiversity conservation.

ENGINEERED BT: FROM PEST TO MARKET CONTROL

As chemical pesticides are increasingly rejected, the agrochemical industry is rushing to develop alternatives suiting its corporate interests. Side-stepping predicted resistance problems, it is focusing investment on Bacillus thuringiensis. An update.

As chemical pesticides are increasingly rejected, the agrochemical industry is rushing to develop alternatives suiting its corporate interests. Side-stepping predicted resistance problems, it is focusing investment on Bacillus thuringiensis. An update.

PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO BIODIVERSITY DISCUSSED IN CBD

As it was seen at COP II in Jakarta, the Convention on Biological Diversity seems to be slowly moving towards the incorporation of some of the concerns of indigenous and local communities.

As it was seen at COP II in Jakarta, the Convention on Biological Diversity seems to be slowly moving towards the incorporation of some of the concerns of indigenous and local communities.

WILL INDIA PROTECT TRIBAL BIODIVERSITY RIGHTS?

The discovery of anti-malarian activity in a plant used by the Onge tribe for medicinal purposes may lead to its expropriation unless India's government takes immediate measures.

The discovery of anti-malarian activity in a plant used by the Onge tribe for medicinal purposes may lead to its expropriation unless India's government takes immediate measures.

GENETIC RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET

Since the Internet is also providing information in the area of plant genetic resources, Seedling will be including a regular part on the Internet in our section "Resources & Documentation".

Since the Internet is also providing information in the area of plant genetic resources, Seedling will be including a regular part on the Internet in our section "Resources & Documentation".

TOWARDS A BIODIVERSITY COMMUNITY RIGHTS REGIME

As an alternative to Northern-style IPRs, GRAIN argues for a local community rights regime based on Heritage, Territoriality and Communality, which would be constructed into both the Biodiversity Convention and the FAO Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources.

As an alternative to Northern-style IPRs, GRAIN argues for a local community rights regime based on Heritage, Territoriality and Communality, which would be constructed into both the Biodiversity Convention and the FAO Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources.

THE POTATO BLIGHT IS BACK

The late potato blight, P. infestans, which was responsible for the Great Irish Famine last century, is back in a deadlier form and many fear that the short-sightness of breeders and governments may jeopardise the food security of the millions of Third World families for whom potatoes are an important staple crop.

The late potato blight, P. infestans, which was responsible for the Great Irish Famine last century, is back in a deadlier form and many fear that the short-sightness of breeders and governments may jeopardise the food security of the millions of Third World families for whom potatoes are an important staple crop.

THE HIDDEN HARVEST

Until recently ignored by contemporary agricultural research, most of the world's rural population benefits from a "Hidden Harvest" of wild foods that constitutes an important nutritional and income source, and often makes the difference for survival in famine situations.

Until recently ignored by contemporary agricultural research, most of the world's rural population benefits from a "Hidden Harvest" of wild foods that constitutes an important nutritional and income source, and often makes the difference for survival in famine situations.

FISHING OUT AQUATIC DIVERSITY

The industrialisation of fishing puts ever-growing pressure on marine ecosystems and the diversity they contain, and small-scale fishing communities and the poor are paying the price. Civil society must gain democratic control over these resources.

The industrialisation of fishing puts ever-growing pressure on marine ecosystems and the diversity they contain, and small-scale fishing communities and the poor are paying the price. Civil society must gain democratic control over these resources.

SWISS PLANT VARIETY PATENT REVOKED

A Swiss herb growers group has won an important court case: in a landmark decision that tested new policies to allow patenting of plants as such, the Federal Supreme Court decided that a camomile variety may not be patented.

A Swiss herb growers group has won an important court case: in a landmark decision that tested new policies to allow patenting of plants as such, the Federal Supreme Court decided that a camomile variety may not be patented.

DIVERSITY, A FEMININE NOUN

The diversity of agricultural systems is a fundamental step in fighting rural hunger and conserving genetic resources, and farm women are key players in any such strategy, according to field studies in Brazil.

The diversity of agricultural systems is a fundamental step in fighting rural hunger and conserving genetic resources, and farm women are key players in any such strategy, according to field studies in Brazil.

EDITORIAL

A viewpoint on the European Parliament's historic rejection of the life patenting directive last 1 March.

A viewpoint on the European Parliament's historic rejection of the life patenting directive last 1 March.

THE DIRECTIVE IS DEAD

The European Parliament stopped a law proposal that would have made life patenting possible in Europe. We look at the background, the history and the implications.

The European Parliament stopped a law proposal that would have made life patenting possible in Europe. We look at the background, the history and the implications.

BIODIVERSITY SELL-OUT IN THE ANDEAN PACT?

Some Andean Pact countries seem to be willing to hand over their biodiversity cheaply. Others are arguing for more control over access. NGOs fight for rights to local and indigenous communities.

Some Andean Pact countries seem to be willing to hand over their biodiversity cheaply. Others are arguing for more control over access. NGOs fight for rights to local and indigenous communities.