PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 7:16 PM by Luigi

Hawaiian activists, farmers: UH shouldn't own taro

Ron Mizutani, KHON2 News.

There's another controversy brewing in Hawaii's agricultural industry, and this one involves a plant close to the hearts of many islanders.

Hawaiian activists and some farmers are demanding that the University of Hawaii give up its patents on three lines of taro. They believe the university shouldn't own what's been here for years.

There's a definite shortage on poi, a Hawaiian staple made from the root of the taro plant.
"It's something that has sustained us as Hawaiians," says Walter Ritte, Hawaiian activist.
Taro production has suffered because of diseases, like taro leaf blight, which can wipe out entire fields. UH researchers say that loss in productivity led to experiments and a successful discovery.

"It was a cross between a Palauan cultivar and one from Hawaii, and there's no biotech involved. It is simply taking the pollen from one plant and putting it into another plant," says Janice Uchida, UH plant pathologist.

In 2002, UH was granted patents on three varieties of taro.

"The patent was pursued because in many other universities the college can actually make some royalties, and the royalties from a patent can help to further research," says Uchida.

"I find it incredibly arrogant that the university would take it upon itself to seek patents on a plant like taro," says Bill Freese, biotechnology expert. "The idea that the university has somehow created kalo is ridiculous."

The issues stir strong emotions in Hawaiians, who believe they are direct descendants of the taro plant.

"We have this sacred relationship with this taro and nobody can understand thus far," says Ritte.

"Every Hawaiian links blood-wise to the kalo," says Mililani Trask, Hawaiian activist.
Many are outraged that farmers, who may choose to grow these types of taro, are barred from doing any breeding on their own and must pledge a royalty fee to the university if they sell the product.

"It's inappropriate for someone to get a patent on our food and medicine and then to purport to sell it to us," says Trask.

"These varieties belong to native Hawaiians, they should not be made the private property of the university or any other institution," says Freese.

The university says it wants to protect their product from being reproduced elsewhere. Those against patents say this is a symptom of corporate greed, and in this case robs native Hawaiians of their natural heritage.



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There's another controversy brewing in Hawaii's agricultural industry, and this one involves a plant close to the hearts of many islanders. Hawaiian activists and some farmers are demanding that the University of Hawaii give up its patents on three lines of taro. They believe the university shouldn't own what's been here for years. There's a definite shortage on poi, a Hawaiian staple made from the root of the taro plant. "It's something that has sustained us as Hawaiians," says Walter Ritte, Hawaiian activist. Taro production has suffered because of diseases, like taro leaf blight, which can wipe out entire fields. UH researchers say that loss in productivity led to experiments and a successful discovery. "It was a cross between a Palauan cultivar and one from Hawaii, and there's no biotech involved. It is simply taking the pollen from one plant and putting it into another plant," says Janice Uchida, UH plant pathologist. In 2002, UH was granted patents on three varieties of taro. "The patent was pursued because in many other universities the college can actually make some royalties, and the royalties from a patent can help to further research," says Uchida. "I find it incredibly arrogant that the university would take it upon itself to seek patents on a plant like taro," says Bill Freese, biotechnology expert. "The idea that the university has somehow created kalo is ridiculous." The issues stir strong emotions in Hawaiians, who believe they are direct descendants of the taro plant. "We have this sacred relationship with this taro and nobody can understand thus far," says Ritte. "Every Hawaiian links blood-wise to the kalo," says Mililani Trask, Hawaiian activist. Many are outraged that farmers, who may choose to grow these types of taro, are barred from doing any breeding on their own and must pledge a royalty fee to the university if they sell the product. "It's inappropriate for someone to get a patent on our food and medicine and then to purport to sell it to us," says Trask. "These varieties belong to native Hawaiians, they should not be made the private property of the university or any other institution," says Freese. The university says it wants to protect their product from being reproduced elsewhere. Those against patents say this is a symptom of corporate greed, and in this case robs native Hawaiians of their natural heritage. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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