Indian Scientists Sound Alarm Over Genetic Resources Treaty Changes
A collective of prominent Indian scientists has urgently appealed to the government to take strategic action at upcoming international negotiations in Lima, Peru, aiming to safeguard the nation's sovereign rights over its precious genetic resources.
The scientists expressed serious concerns about proposed modifications to benefit-sharing provisions under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). In a formal letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, they highlighted that these changes could severely compromise India's control over its genetic wealth.
The Critical Timeline and Proposed Changes
The contentious issue is scheduled for discussion during the 11th Session of the ITPGRFA governing body in Lima from November 24 to 29. The scientists described the current proposals to enhance the Treaty's multilateral system as fundamentally unjust, representing what they called an immediate, existential threat to India's sovereign rights.
According to the experts, the proposed modifications would effectively open up substantial portions of India's national seed collections to global access without establishing a fair and mandatory compensation system. This could potentially include resources beyond the existing list of 64 crops currently covered by the treaty.
Professor Dinesh Abrol from the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, one of the letter's signatories, emphasized that India's vast genetic diversity forms the foundation of the nation's future food security and must not be given away without proper compensation.
The Failure of Current Benefit-Sharing System
The scientists revealed that approximately seven million accessions of genetic resources, primarily originating from biodiversity-rich nations like India, have already been transferred under the existing multilateral system. These resources have generated billions of dollars in commercial value for global seed and biotech industries.
However, the current voluntary system for sharing monetary benefits has proven completely inadequate, resulting in minimal financial returns for countries of origin. Sarath Babu Balijepalli, President of Plant Protection Association of India and another signatory, called the voluntary system a sham that enables wealthy corporations to profit immensely from the genetic labor of Indian farmers without paying their fair share.
The scientists are now advocating for a mandatory subscription system directly linked to the commercial turnover of companies utilizing these genetic resources. This approach would ensure that nations and farming communities receive appropriate compensation for their contributions to global food security.
Call for Strong Leadership at International Forum
Among the distinguished signatories are Suman Sahai, chairperson of Gene Campaign, along with former principal scientists from ICAR-NBPGR, Soma Marla and B Sarath Babu. In their joint appeal, they declared that the time for passive negotiation has ended.
The scientists urged India to assume leadership among Global South nations in asserting sovereign control over genetic resources and protecting the rights of developing countries' farming communities. They emphasized that these communities have served as custodians of genetic diversity for centuries, and their rights must be protected in any international agreement.
The proposed changes could potentially override domestic legislation like India's Biodiversity Act, making government intervention at the Lima negotiations critically important for preserving national interests and ensuring fair compensation for the country's invaluable genetic heritage.
