I'm much unnerved at the disgusting tendency among medicine firms and practitioners in developed countries to get patents for medicinal properties of substances which have been in use in the developing countries, particularly the Indian subcontinent, for centuries.
The recent battle over turmeric patents is the case I am particularly interested in.
Patents were issued to two Mississippi doctors of Indian origin for the traditional use of turmeric powder. If they had their way, future research in S. Asian turmeric would mean royalty payment to these doctors.
India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) petitioned the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) against the award of these patents. After some hearings, PTO rejected all six of the claims of the two physicians.
This was prevented but care should be taken to avoid such happenings in future which would make such cures, the property of some individuals. What do you say?
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