From Bio-Imperialism to Bio-Democracy

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From Bio-Imperialism to Bio-Democracy

• Vandana Shiva

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Ecology, Equity, and Efficiency

• Must halt the threats to biodiversity
• Stopping aid and incentive to the destruction of
  habitats where biodiversity thrives
• Stopping subsidies for displacement of diversity

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E3 continued.

• We must recognize the value in diversity itself
• The sacred nature of certain plants and animals
  must be taken into account
• Monetary value isnt the only measure of
  biodiversity
• The community aspect diversity is important

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E3 continued

• Economics
• If we are to respect diversity, the the economic
  punishment that ensues with conservation must be
  removed
• Biodiversity should guide economic thinking, not
  the other way around
• By funding biodiversity programs through the
  small percentage of profits gained through the
  destruction of biodiversity, it legitimizes it

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Who controls biodiversity?

• Until recently, it was local communities that
  were in control of biodiversity
• Now, it appears that GATT, the World Bank, and
  the US Trade Act are in control

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Whos in control? contd

• The undermining of sovereignty in the Third World
  is an issue
• Also, the erosion of sovereignty for local
  communities is an issue too
• Since they were the original guardians of
  biodiversity

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Whos in control? contd

• Patenting of genes leads to a devaluation of life
  forms
• Reduces them to their constituents and allowing
  them to be private property
• Bio-imperialism must be replaced with
  bio-democracy
• Involves recognition of intrinsic value of all
  life forms and their right to exit
• That nations protect these rights from claims to
  private property by corporations
• The deeper the devolution of rights to
  biodiversity, the smaller the chance for
  monopolizing tendencies to take hold