‘India should protect patent over its native species’

As awareness of the medicinal value of Indian plants goes up globally, more should be done by the Government to protect the nation’s biodiversity, according to Appu Rathinavelu, Executive Director, Rumbaugh Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research, Nova Southeastern University, U.S.

Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the ‘International Scientist Meet’ organised by St. Joseph’s College’s Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Rathinavelu said:

“It’s very unfortunate that the American nationals hold the patents on some Neem products. Since then the rules and policy of patenting has changed. To avoid situation like this, India should take the time and effort to protect native species.”

The Fulbright Nehru Fellow added the translation of anti-cancer research from “benchside to bedside” (lab to patient) was not happening in India, because the discovery of new therapeutics was not a priority here.

“They are concentrating on managing what is already there and researching natural products. But even if they don’t discover new things, they could come up with new therapeutic strategies,” Dr. Rathinavelu said.

“We have scientifically proven that Tulsi (Holy Basil) can help in the treatment of cancer and can augment and supplement the anti-cancer drugs if used in the right combinations. So we have tested that in-vitro systems and animal systems. We are trying to publish all the data, and hopefully we can catch the attention of Indian doctors. Perhaps they can use these systems which are safer compared to other combinations,” he added.

Bakrudeen Ali Ahmed, visiting faculty, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Malaysia, who has specialised in researching the application of plant propagation, bio-active compound production via plant tissue culture methods and development of pharmaceutical products and pharmacological studies felt that it was important to explore and record the plant wealth of India.

“As population increased, future generations would benefit from such knowledge. Pharmaceutical companies will need more material for their medicines. Similarly, biotechnology can help bring down deforestation,” said Dr. Bakrudeen, who has worked in Malaysia and South Korea.