biopiracy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1-C2)Academic, journalistic, activist, legal/technical
Quick answer
What does “biopiracy” mean?
The unethical and/or illegal exploitation or commercial use of biological resources and/or traditional knowledge, often from indigenous or local communities, without their permission and/or without fair compensation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The unethical and/or illegal exploitation or commercial use of biological resources and/or traditional knowledge, often from indigenous or local communities, without their permission and/or without fair compensation.
A practice where individuals, corporations, or institutions patent genetic resources, medicinal plants, or agricultural knowledge that originates from developing countries or indigenous cultures, thereby gaining exclusive rights over biological materials that were traditionally in the public domain. The term implies a form of 'theft' of natural and cultural heritage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British media and activist circles, but a recognisable term in relevant American contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “biopiracy” in a Sentence
[Subject] engaged in biopiracy[Subject] was accused of biopiracy for [verb-ing] [object][Subject] patented [resource] in an act of biopiracyThe biopiracy of [resource] from [country/community]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “biopiracy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The verb form is not standard. Use 'to engage in biopiracy' or 'to commit biopiracy'.
American English
- The verb form is not standard. Use 'to practice biopiracy' or 'to be guilty of biopiracy'.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- biopiratical (very rare)
- a biopiracy case
American English
- biopiratic (very rare)
- a biopiracy lawsuit
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) reports and ethical investment discussions: 'The company's reputation was damaged by biopiracy allegations.'
Academic
Used in anthropology, environmental law, bioethics, and development studies: 'The paper analyses legal frameworks designed to curb biopiracy.'
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation. Might appear in documentaries or serious news articles.
Technical
Used in international law (e.g., Nagoya Protocol), patent law, and biodiversity conservation: 'The application was rejected on grounds of potential biopiracy.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “biopiracy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “biopiracy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “biopiracy”
- Misspelling as 'biopracy' or 'biopirasy'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to biopirate' is non-standard; use 'to engage in biopiracy').
- Confusing it with the neutral term 'bioprospecting'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bioprospecting is the broader search for useful compounds in nature. Biopiracy is a subset of bioprospecting that is done unethically or illegally, without permission or fair compensation.
It is not a universally defined crime like theft. However, specific acts falling under this label may violate national laws on access to genetic resources, patent laws (if prior art exists), or international agreements like the Nagoya Protocol.
One often-cited case involves the neem tree of India. A US corporation patented a fungicide derived from neem, despite its centuries of traditional use in Indian agriculture. The patent was later challenged and revoked.
Indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity-rich developing countries (e.g., in the Amazon, India, Africa) are most vulnerable, as their traditional knowledge and local genetic resources are exploited without their consent or benefit.
The unethical and/or illegal exploitation or commercial use of biological resources and/or traditional knowledge, often from indigenous or local communities, without their permission and/or without fair compensation.
Biopiracy is usually academic, journalistic, activist, legal/technical in register.
Biopiracy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪəʊˈpaɪrəsi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪoʊˈpaɪrəsi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable. This is a technical/legal term not used in idiomatic expressions.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pirate (pirate) stealing a treasure chest full of seeds and plants (bio-). 'Bio-Pirate-See' – seeing a pirate steal biological treasure.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL/TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITY IS THEFT (a specific subtype: the exploitation of biological knowledge is piracy on the high seas of global resources).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of the term 'biopiracy'?