Bio-Prospecting for Neimark and Vermeylen - myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theBio-Prospecting for Neimark and Vermeylen. Answer: Likely Distribution Outcomes According to Neimark and Vermeylen (2017), in bio-prospecting exercises, there are various forms of uneven distribution of resources or unfair benefits enjoyed by those who are less entitled to the same. Apparently, the experts who have gained a lot of finances continue to dominate the field and charge huge amounts of money for their skills while the indigenous people are paid less since they have less professional experience despite hosting the plants their whole lives. In an example given by the Hawaiian reading, the local people were denied rights to know about licensing of some groups of people to have rights to use plants they had been custodians to (Gugganig, 2017). In addition, they were denied basic jobs in similar projects and the opportunities given to professionals from outside of the region (Gugganig 2017). Neimark and Vermeylen (2017), claimed that in some cases the local people lacked information on the same due to lack of knowledge of the benefits they are entitled to as a result of hosting the natural resources in their geographical areas. Apparently, the biggest beneficiaries of the projects are the rich people in the business while the societies who are more entitled to them get very little. Impacts on Cultural Values Gugganig (2017) indicates that for the Hawaiian people, taro plant was an essential symbol of their heritage from the time of origin of their society. As such, it was used by many farmers for diverse reasons most importantly honored for cultural reasons. However, a learning institution acquired rights of control of the people who were allowed to grow the same (Gugganig, 2017). The practice was seen as a major violation of their cultural rights considering their efforts over the years to preserve it. Apparently, many communities in ancient times acknowledged the work of creation of organisms to higher mysterious powers hence when two organisms are bred to result into a different new creature; they create the impression that scientists are playing god (Gugganig, 2017). Additionally, there have been cases where the discussion of introducing genetically engineered crops in different countries has either been postponed or rejected due to the local people failure to want to be a part of th ese practices in respect to their cultural beliefs (Gugganig 2017). As such, the cultural values impacts on the bio-technologies result from the crashes with the beliefs and the extent in which the changes are understood by the local people. Project Impacts on Existing Social Conflicts When scientists involve the local people on matters concerning the activities carried out in the localities they are traditionally mandated to protect, social cohesion is witnessed between the different groups. However, lack of involvement in similar activities leads to conflicts (Guggaging 2017). Robinson (2013) indicated that in instances of friction between different stakeholders, there are laws that can be used to solve these problems. Before undertaking practices involving collecting samples from the fields, the scientists ought to extensively research on the community in which the resources are located. There are specific laws followed by the communities in relation to the collection of medicinal plants in the fields in regard to specific individuals that are allowed to carry out the practice as well as other taboos surrounding the entire process (Robinson, 2013). Consequently, if the laid out procedure does not follow the cultural method, there is a possibility to intensify th e conflicts. Where the customary laws and the state laws are in harmony, a possibility of occurrence of conflicts is minimized since scientists are more likely to abide by them hence legislative bodies ought to consult with societies while drafting them. Consequently, determination of whether or not the project will solve or increase the social conflict will be determined by the manner in which the parties carry themselves. Potential to Fund and Support Long-term Conservation Isla (2005) describes the natural resources as self-generating such that without excessive use, they can be used over long period of time without depleting or compromising their potential to be as useful in future. Davidov (2013) gives an example of a pharmaceutical scenario in a movie showing a specific flower that was endemic to the Amazonian rainforest with a specific component for cancer treatment which was later discovered to be resulting from a certain insect that the flower interacted with. The discovery aided in the synthesis of the specific compound as well as empowered the push for the conservation of the habitat for long-term preservation of the same and for the entire industry (Davidov 2013). As such, preservation of an essential medicinal product is necessary for the monetary value derived from the drug as well as the attention accorded the same in the conservation industry since it attracts more stakeholders willing to invest in the same. Brad (2017) indicated that the values derived are not only limited to financial benefits, but rather all inclusive incentives for communities to preserve their resources. References Brad C. (2017) Lecture Notes Class 21. Davidov, V. (2013). Amazonia as pharmacopeia. Critique of Anthropology, 33(3) 243-262. Gugganig, M. (2017). The Ethics of Patenting and Genetically Engineering the Relative Haola. Ethnos, 82(1), 44-67. Isla, A. (2005). Conservation as enclosure: An ecofeminist perspective on sustainable development and biopiracy in Coasta Rica. Capitalism Nature Socialism, 16(3), 49-61. Neimark, B. D., Vermeylen, S. (2017). A human right to science?: Precarious labor and basic rights in science and bioprospecting. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 107(1), 167-182. Robinson, D. F. (2013). Legal geographies of intellectual property, traditional knowledge and biodiversity: experiencing conventions, laws, customary law, and karma in Thailand. Geographical Research, 51(4), 375-386.