Part 7 – Biopiracy and Patents

Q1.

Biopiracy refers to:
a) Illegal cloning of humans
b) Exploitation of biological resources without proper authorization
c) Patent of new chemical drugs
d) Smuggling of wildlife

Answer: b) Exploitation of biological resources without proper authorization

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Human cloning is separate issue.
(b) Correct → Biopiracy = unauthorized use of biodiversity/knowledge.
(c) Incorrect → Patent of chemicals ≠ biopiracy.
(d) Incorrect → Smuggling ≠ biopiracy.

Q2.

Which Indian plant’s medicinal properties were patented by a US company but later revoked?
a) Neem
b) Tulsi
c) Aloe vera
d) Ginger

Answer: a) Neem

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Neem’s antifungal properties patented but revoked.
(b) Tulsi → No such major case.
(c) Aloe vera → Widely used, but not major case.
(d) Ginger → Not relevant.

Q3.

The turmeric patent controversy was related to:
a) Use of turmeric in dyeing cloth
b) Use of turmeric in wound healing
c) Use of turmeric in food coloring
d) Use of turmeric in perfume

Answer: b) Use of turmeric in wound healing

Explanation:

(a) Dyeing → Not patented.
(b) Correct → Wound-healing property patented by US, later revoked.
(c) Food coloring → Not the issue.
(d) Perfume → Not related.

Q4.

Which Indian crop’s variety was patented in the USA causing controversy?
a) Basmati rice
b) Wheat
c) Mustard
d) Cotton

Answer: a) Basmati rice

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Basmati patent case by RiceTec (USA).
(b) Wheat → No such patent case.
(c) Mustard → GM mustard debate, not biopiracy.
(d) Cotton → Bt cotton patent is biotech, not biopiracy.

Q5.

The neem biopiracy case involved patents on:
a) Neem’s use as an antifungal agent
b) Neem’s use as a fertilizer
c) Neem’s use as a dye
d) Neem’s use in perfumes

Answer: a) Neem’s use as an antifungal agent

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Antifungal patent challenged and revoked.
(b) Incorrect → Fertilizer use not patented.
(c) Incorrect → Dye use not issue.
(d) Incorrect → Perfume not issue.

Q6.

Which organization played a key role in fighting against turmeric and neem patents?
a) WHO
b) CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research)
c) ICAR
d) FAO

Answer: b) CSIR

Explanation:

(a) WHO → Health, not patents.
(b) Correct → CSIR filed legal challenges.
(c) ICAR → Agriculture, not patents.
(d) FAO → Agriculture policies, not legal fights.

Q7.

Biopiracy of Basmati rice patents was challenged because:
a) Basmati is not grown in USA
b) Basmati is traditionally grown in India and Pakistan
c) Rice cannot be patented
d) Consumers opposed it

Answer: b) Basmati is traditionally grown in India and Pakistan

Explanation:

(a) True, but not the main reason.
(b) Correct → Basmati is native traditional knowledge, cannot be patented abroad.
(c) Incorrect → Rice can be patented if new.
(d) Incorrect → Consumer opinion not legal basis.

Q8.

Which international agreement deals with patents and intellectual property rights?
a) GATT
b) TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)
c) WTO Agriculture Agreement
d) Cartagena Protocol

Answer: b) TRIPS

Explanation:

(a) GATT → Trade, not patents.
(b) Correct → TRIPS (WTO) governs IPR and patents.
(c) WTO Agri Agreement → Trade, not patents.
(d) Cartagena Protocol → Biosafety, not patents.

Q9.

Which of the following can be patented?
a) Discovery of natural plant
b) Traditional knowledge
c) Novel process to extract a compound
d) Naturally occurring mineral

Answer: c) Novel process to extract a compound

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Discoveries not patentable.
(b) Incorrect → Traditional knowledge not patentable.
(c) Correct → Only inventions (novel, non-obvious, useful) are patentable.
(d) Incorrect → Minerals cannot be patented.

Q10.

Biopiracy undermines:
a) Farmers’ rights
b) Biodiversity conservation
c) National sovereignty over resources
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) True → Farmers lose rights.
(b) True → Exploitation threatens biodiversity.
(c) True → Sovereignty violated.
(d) Correct → All impacted.

Q11.

Which international convention recognizes sovereign rights over biological resources?
a) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
b) Cartagena Protocol
c) TRIPS Agreement
d) Paris Agreement

Answer: a) CBD

Explanation:

(a) Correct → CBD (1992) ensures countries control their resources.
(b) Cartagena → Biosafety, not sovereignty.
(c) TRIPS → Deals with patents, not sovereignty.
(d) Paris → Climate change, unrelated.

Q12.

Which Indian initiative documents traditional knowledge to fight biopiracy?
a) Digital India Mission
b) Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
c) National Biodiversity Mission
d) CSIR-ICMR Database

Answer: b) TKDL

Explanation:

(a) Digital India → ICT mission.
(b) Correct → TKDL prevents foreign patents by documenting traditional uses.
(c) Biodiversity Mission → Separate program.
(d) CSIR database → Not specifically TKDL.

Q13.

The turmeric patent case was challenged by India in:
a) USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office)
b) European Patent Office
c) WTO
d) WIPO

Answer: a) USPTO

Explanation:

(a) Correct → US patent office granted patent, later revoked.
(b) Neem case was European office.
(c) WTO → Governs trade rules, not individual patents.
(d) WIPO → UN agency, not specific.

Q14.

Why is traditional knowledge difficult to patent?
a) It is already in the public domain
b) It cannot be scientifically tested
c) It is not useful
d) It is not written in English

Answer: a) It is already in the public domain

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Public domain knowledge cannot be patented.
(b) Incorrect → Can be tested.
(c) Incorrect → It is useful, just not patentable.
(d) Incorrect → Language is not the issue.

Q15.

Which of the following is a famous example of biopiracy in India?
a) Neem and turmeric
b) Bt cotton
c) Cloned sheep Dolly
d) Hybrid maize

Answer: a) Neem and turmeric

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Both patented abroad, challenged by India.
(b) Bt cotton → Legal biotech, not piracy.
(c) Dolly → Not related.
(d) Hybrid maize → Not piracy.

Q16.

Patents are generally granted for a period of:
a) 10 years
b) 20 years
c) 50 years
d) Unlimited

Answer: b) 20 years

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Too short.
(b) Correct → Standard patent period = 20 years.
(c) Incorrect → Too long.
(d) Incorrect → Patents not permanent.

Q17.

Which is NOT an impact of biopiracy?
a) Loss of indigenous community rights
b) Unfair profits to foreign companies
c) Increased biodiversity conservation
d) Economic exploitation

Answer: c) Increased biodiversity conservation

Explanation:

(a) True → Communities lose rights.
(b) True → Companies profit unfairly.
(c) Correct → Biopiracy reduces, not increases, conservation.
(d) True → Exploitation occurs.

Q18.

Which Indian law protects against biopiracy?
a) Indian Patent Act (1970, amended 2005)
b) Right to Information Act
c) Wildlife Protection Act
d) Forest Rights Act

Answer: a) Indian Patent Act (1970, amended 2005)

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Indian Patent Act amendments protect against biopiracy.
(b) RTI → Governance, not patents.
(c) Wildlife Act → Protects species, not patents.
(d) Forest Act → Community rights, not patents.

Q19.

Which of the following can be patented?
a) A genetically engineered microbe
b) A wild plant found in forests
c) Traditional ayurvedic medicine
d) Naturally occurring DNA

Answer: a) A genetically engineered microbe

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Engineered microbes (e.g., Chakrabarty case) patentable.
(b) Incorrect → Wild plants not patentable.
(c) Incorrect → Traditional medicine is prior art.
(d) Incorrect → Natural DNA not patentable (only modified sequences).

Q20.

The landmark US court case allowing patenting of a genetically modified organism was:
a) Diamond v. Chakrabarty (1980)
b) RiceTec v. India
c) Monsanto v. Farmers
d) CSIR v. USPTO

Answer: a) Diamond v. Chakrabarty (1980)

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Chakrabarty’s GM bacterium case allowed patenting of life forms.
(b) RiceTec → Basmati patent dispute.
(c) Monsanto cases → Farmers’ seed saving disputes.
(d) CSIR → Turmeric case, not landmark.

Q21.

Why was RiceTec’s patent on Basmati rice controversial?
a) RiceTec created a new GMO
b) Basmati is a traditional variety of India-Pakistan
c) Basmati cannot be grown in USA
d) RiceTec filed no documents

Answer: b) Basmati is a traditional variety of India-Pakistan

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Not a GMO case.
(b) Correct → Patent attempted to monopolize a traditional variety.
(c) Incorrect → It can grow, but not original.
(d) Incorrect → They filed claims, but were weak.

Q22.

Which term refers to benefit-sharing with indigenous communities for use of their knowledge?
a) Biopiracy
b) Bioprospecting
c) Bioethics
d) Biopatenting

Answer: b) Bioprospecting

Explanation:

(a) Biopiracy → Exploitation without consent.
(b) Correct → Bioprospecting is ethical exploration with benefit-sharing.
(c) Bioethics → Ethical debates.
(d) Biopatenting → Legal process.

Q23.

Which database in India prevents wrongful patents on yoga, ayurveda, and siddha medicine?
a) CSIR Digital Library
b) Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
c) Indian Biodiversity Register
d) Patent Office Journal

Answer: b) TKDL

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Not specific.
(b) Correct → TKDL documents traditional knowledge.
(c) Biodiversity Register → Community-level records.
(d) Patent Journal → Lists patents, not preventions.

Q24.

Which is NOT an example of biopiracy?
a) US patent on neem fungicidal properties
b) US patent on turmeric wound healing
c) GM maize approved after trials
d) RiceTec patent on Basmati

Answer: c) GM maize approved after trials

Explanation:

(a) Neem case → Biopiracy.
(b) Turmeric case → Biopiracy.
(c) Correct → GM maize approval is legal, not piracy.
(d) Basmati case → Biopiracy.

Q25.

The main purpose of patents is to:
a) Restrict knowledge sharing
b) Grant temporary monopoly to encourage innovation
c) Protect only traditional knowledge
d) Provide free access to technology

Answer: b) Grant temporary monopoly to encourage innovation

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Not only restriction.
(b) Correct → Patents incentivize innovation with limited rights.
(c) Incorrect → Traditional knowledge cannot be patented.
(d) Incorrect → Opposite of patent.

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Part 7 – Biopiracy and Patents