Question

Which Indian plants have either been patented or attempts have been made to patent them by western nations for their commercial use?

• A. Basmati rice
• B. Turmeric
• C. Neem
• D. All of these have been targeted

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

All of these have been targeted

Answer 2

India is a country rich in tradition and expertise in natural medicines, spices, food preparations, biological pesticides and diverse agriculture. Through patenting without consent, foreign companies have collared at least $22$ plants for their beneficial derivatives. Patents have been taken out on plants such as black pepper (Pipernigrum), basmati rice (Oryza sativa), Indian mustard (Brassica campestris), pomegranate (Punica granatum), turmeric (Curcuma domestica) and neem (Azadirachta indica). $US$, Japanese and German companies are the principal patenting pirates.