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Pure Appl. Chem., Vol. 70, No. 11,
pp. 2117, 1998
Bioprospecting in Thai forests: Is it worthwhile?*
W. Y. Brockelman
Institute of Science and Technology for Research and Development
Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: A tropical forest contains countless possibilities
for the development of useful products, but there are many impediments
to the satisfactory utilization of these products. The tropical
countries that have high natural biodiversity usually lack the scientific
base and technology needed for the discovery and development of
useful products. This problem has to be overcome by careful negotiation
and collaboration, which the International Convention on Biodiversity
has attempted to address. Another major problem is bioprospecting.
Random prospecting or screening of species from the tropical forest
is found to be generally unprofitable for western institutions,
due to the high expenses and risk. The risk factor is due mainly
to the low probability that any given species will yield a valuable
product that will repay all the effort. In order to make bioprospecting
more worthwhile, the screening process must be made more efficient.
Various kinds of information may be used to increase efficiency,
including leads from previous chemical and pharmacological research,
indigenous human knowledge and traditional medicine, and ecological
research. The last category of knowledge, not much used in the past,
could be based on plant-animal interactions such as herbivory by
insects, birds and mammals, and seed dispersal by frugivores. Such
research is best carried out on permanent biodiversity study plots
established in protected conservation areas. Use of conservation
areas is governed by special regulations, and bioprospecting in
them will require clarification of sensitive legal and ethical issues.
Download full text (9
pages) - PDF file (40KB)
* Invited lecture presented at the International
Conference on Bioversity and Bioresources: Conservation and
Utilization, 23-37 November 1997, Phuket, Thailand.
Page last modified 15 April 1999.
Copyright ©1997, 98, 99 International Union of Pure and Applied
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