|
Why is this Process Needed?
Historical context
For decades Māori commentators, social scientists, activists and academics have raised concerns about the impact of rapidly developing biotechnologies and intellectual property laws on Māori and other indigenous peoples. Understanding some of this history will provide a positive context for scientists motivation to positively influence disaffected communities*.
Attempts to limit the exponential growth of genetic science and intellectual property laws (like patents) by Māori and other indigenous peoples for more than two decades has resulted in much accumulated knowledge and experience about unethical research resulting in little local community benefits.
This historical context can be traced well back to before 1991 when the WAI262 Treaty Claim for Indigenous Flora and Fauna and Cultural and Intellectual Property Heritage Rights and Obligations was lodged against the New Zealand Crown.
* Parts of this section has been extracted and adapted from the Draft Paper Protecting the Genetic Resources of Māori - The RHAS, An Alternative Indigenous Response to Genetic Research Bevan Tipene-Matua The Rakaipaaka Health and Ancestry Study Management Team, submitted for publication, August 2008.
|
|