Biopirates beware. (The Beat).

On 19 February 2002 12 countries that together contain 70% of the world's plant and animal biodiversity signed an agreement to work toward establishing new trade rules to govern patenting and registering of products based on plant and animal resources. These rules would replace those outlined in the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The Group of Allied Mega-Biodiverse Nations--made up of Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and Venezuela--believes the convention's wording allows too many loopholes, and that it has not been effectively implemented by the countries that have ratified it. The group also wants to ensure that member countries and the indigenous tribes living within them receive equitable compensation and benefits for resources found on their lands.