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Locating Biopiracy: Geographically and Culturally Situated Knowledges

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  • Daniel F Robinson

    (Institute of Environmental Studies, The University of New South Wales, Room 132 IES, Vallentine Annexe, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia, and Australian Mekong Resource Centre, School of Geosciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia)

Abstract

The issue of ‘biopiracy’ inevitably evokes a wide variety of responses and emotions. It is likely that, for this reason, few academic articles have adequately or fully explored the discourse and/or issue. In this paper I analyse the strategic employment of the term and counterarguments generated by different parties including activists, nongovernmental organisations, academics, industry, and government representatives. Using the concept of ‘situated knowledges’ I explore how epistemic communities with intellectual property (IP) interests have generated one set of powerful and even hypocritical rhetorics and ‘harmonised’ them as global and universal truths. I then illustrate the political and cultural contingence of these IP discourses through a discussion of biopiracy cases and politics in Thailand, where IP laws have been rapidly and coercively imposed. Ultimately, I argue that the cultural, historical, and geographical specifics have been lost and obscured in an international debate that all too often employs ubiquitous understandings of ‘traditional knowledge’, ‘genetic resources’, and ‘protection.’

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel F Robinson, 2010. "Locating Biopiracy: Geographically and Culturally Situated Knowledges," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 42(1), pages 38-56, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:42:y:2010:i:1:p:38-56
    DOI: 10.1068/a41346
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sell,Susan K., 2003. "Private Power, Public Law," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521819145.
    2. Sell,Susan K., 2003. "Private Power, Public Law," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521525398.
    3. Braithwaite,John & Drahos,Peter, 2000. "Global Business Regulation," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521784993.
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