The Philippines has accused the US of being the world’s worst perpetrator of
“biopiracy” and has called on other countries to step up the fight against the
patenting of drugs based on plants or animals traditionally used by local people
for medicines. At an international conference last week, Asian environmental
groups accused the US of “stealing the natural wealth” of less developed
countries, and deplored its refusal to sign the UN Convention on Biological
Biodiversity. The Philippines’ Environment Secretary, Heherson Alvarez, promised
that his government would push for penalties for biopiracy.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Hantavirus: Where has the deadly cruise ship outbreak come from?
News

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Woman in cancer remission without treatment in highly unusual case
News

Space
The problem of cosmic inflation and how to solve it
Comment

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Man destined to get Alzheimer’s saved by accidental heat therapy
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Man destined to get Alzheimer’s saved by accidental heat therapy
2
A lost ancient script reveals how writing as we know it really began
3
Honey has been used as medicine for centuries – does it really work?
4
We have figured out a new way to send messages into the past
5
Prebiotic chewing gum could be helpful for gum disease
6
The 4 biggest myths about hydration, according to an expert
7
Quantum computers simulated their biggest molecule yet – with help
8
Human heads have changed shape a lot in the past 100 years
9
Your oral microbiome could affect your weight, liver and diabetes risk
10
100-year-old assumption about the universe may soon be overturned