PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 2:22 PM by Luigi

UH seeks solution to taro patenting

Honolulu Advertiser, Wednesday, 17 May 2006

By Jan TenBruggencate, Advertiser Science Writer

The University of Hawai'i, criticized for obtaining patents on new varieties of taro, will research ways to gain an exemption to its policy of automatically patenting new strains of the plant.

Native Hawaiians and taro growers recently erected a stone cairn on the UH-Manoa lawn, with a carving that memorializes the connection between taro and Hawaiian culture. Protesters argued that it is inappropriate to patent a crop that has such a significant place in native culture.

UH's vice chancellor for research and graduate education, Gary Ostrander, said the university "has come to both recognize and appreciate the unique place that taro occupies in the lives and culture of indigenous peoples and in particular our Native Hawaiian community."

Ostrander said that while the institution has not determined how it will do so, "we can unequivocally state the intention of Manoa to make an exception to the process relating to patenting and licensing surrounding taro."

Taro patent protester Walter Ritte, of Moloka'i, said taro growers and Hawaiians still plan to attend the UH Board of Regents meeting tomorrow to express their dismay with the school's policies. If the university is serious about finding a way to resolve the issue, "maybe we can help them figure it out," Ritte said.

The taro varieties in question are not genetically modified. They were created through traditional breeding techniques. The three patented varieties have been bred to be resistant to a fungal leaf blight. Under UH union contracts, such developments must be protected through patent applications. Ostrander said one concern has been that if the university doesn't obtain a patent, a commercial entity could readily obtain one and control the release of the hybrid.

"Manoa now must find a way to simultaneously be responsive to our faculty, their union, potential predatory commercial patents, and of no less importance, our greater Native Hawaiian community," he said.



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DIVA-GIS	Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Posted 2:22 PM by Luigi UH seeks solution to taro patenting Honolulu Advertiser, Wednesday, 17 May 2006 By Jan TenBruggencate, Advertiser Science Writer The University of Hawai'i, criticized for obtaining patents on new varieties of taro, will research ways to gain an exemption to its policy of automatically patenting new strains of the plant. Native Hawaiians and taro growers recently erected a stone cairn on the UH-Manoa lawn, with a carving that memorializes the connection between taro and Hawaiian culture. Protesters argued that it is inappropriate to patent a crop that has such a significant place in native culture. UH's vice chancellor for research and graduate education, Gary Ostrander, said the university "has come to both recognize and appreciate the unique place that taro occupies in the lives and culture of indigenous peoples and in particular our Native Hawaiian community." Ostrander said that while the institution has not determined how it will do so, "we can unequivocally state the intention of Manoa to make an exception to the process relating to patenting and licensing surrounding taro." Taro patent protester Walter Ritte, of Moloka'i, said taro growers and Hawaiians still plan to attend the UH Board of Regents meeting tomorrow to express their dismay with the school's policies. If the university is serious about finding a way to resolve the issue, "maybe we can help them figure it out," Ritte said. The taro varieties in question are not genetically modified. They were created through traditional breeding techniques. The three patented varieties have been bred to be resistant to a fungal leaf blight. Under UH union contracts, such developments must be protected through patent applications. Ostrander said one concern has been that if the university doesn't obtain a patent, a commercial entity could readily obtain one and control the release of the hybrid. "Manoa now must find a way to simultaneously be responsive to our faculty, their union, potential predatory commercial patents, and of no less importance, our greater Native Hawaiian community," he said. * 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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