Rip Off on Tropical Islands of the South Pacific?

Sept. 17, 2008 - PRLog -- Ancient indigenous communities of the South Pacific are in danger of losing their tropical island paradise. They are not protected by Intellectual Property Rights, in the ever increasing world of commercialism. Education is urgently needed, if what is communally owned is not to be stolen away, piece by piece.

Co-editor of the book, ‘Pacific Genes and Life Patents’,  Aroha Te Pareaka Mead, wrote of  Carol Jenkins, a medical anthropologist, who allegedly stole leukemia curing genes from the Hagahai people in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. The USA, through its National Health Institute, patented the DNA cells, claiming ownership, without permission, upon something that belonged to a group of tribal people and their unborn children.

The question, as old as commerce itself, is who should have the benefit from such commercial ventures? The people who put the time and effort into developing the product, or the original owners of the raw material?

What is owned is the property of everyone in the group, Mead explains.  The indigenous people of the Pacific nations don’t own anything. For individuals, who culturally own nothing, to begin to claim Intellectual Property Rights, is to deny what is owned communally. “They don’t own the myths and traditions they pass from generation, the music they sing, their mind, their bodies, the words they speak, or the dances they dance. All these form part of their ancient heritage. Any creativity, or gifts, become part of the next generation’s heritage.”

An uncle has a right to any money owed to a nephew. If you loan a shirt to a local person, chances are it won’t be returned. Not because they are stealing the shirt, but because of their  unsophisticated inherent belief that wealth is defined by what they can give away. Their ability to play host, to be generous and what they can  give to others, is the measure of their riches.

It is not in their mentality to amass wealth, as seen in developed countries. If the price of local grown commodities rise, due to rising world food prices, the locals produce less. Once enough money has been earned to pay the school fees, buy clothing and a few staples, what is the need to sell any more of the crop? Earning more money only takes more effort. Why bother? These people have no lasting dependence on a cash economy, though they do enjoy the limited benefits it gives them.

The majority of the people, particularly in rural areas, are not able to recognize potential commercial opportunities within their culture and capitalize on them. If there were any commercial potential, from cultural expression to mineral rich volcanic ash, metaphysics to blood cells, unique flora or fauna, the Pacific islanders could unknowingly remain sitting on an untapped gold mine.

Education is no longer something to be treated lightly. It has become an absolute necessity, if the islanders are to make use the benefits of the 21st century. It is imperative they come to an understanding of how to protect their custom rights and privileges, while maintaining their unique island way of life, before their island  paradise  is gone forever.

The days of poorly educated politicians grabbing the Government gravy train and blundering their way through a few years of pocket-lining public office is over. It is hoped that nations like Vanuatu, with a newly elected government, will listen to the rising tide of opinion, demanding better education and health facilities, for all members of the community. There is a desperate need for large companies and small to acknowledge the immense value of a Corporate Conscience.


About the Author

Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO’s of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) providing high school education grants through a Blue Moon Opportunity. You can really help make a difference. Take a few minutes to check it out
http://winaresort.com

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YouMe Support Foundation is a non-profit charity, raising funds for non-repayable high-education grants for underprivileged children will never go to high school without outside outside assistance.