MEDICINAL PLANT GENETIC-RESOURCES AND INTERNATIONAL-COOPERATION - THEBRAZILIAN PERSPECTIVE

Brazil is a gene rich country, host to 24% of known primate species, b etween 10 and 15 million species of insects, and 22% of the world's hi gher plant species. The debate over how and by whom these resources sh ould be protected has intensified over the last few years due to a gro wing awareness of the links between sustainable utilization of natural resources, conservation of biodiversity, and economic development. Wi thin this context the pharmaceutical exploitation of natural products for drug development has a prominent place. For a significant portion of Brazilian society, fair cooperation is welcome and can facilitate d rug discovery. Nevertheless, the complexity of the consequences of pat enting and utilization of natural resources calls for a thorough cost/ benefit analysis in order to promote policies that can ensure signific ant and long term benefits for the country.