Question

Explain Biopiracy with respect to Turmeric.

Answer 1

1. Since ancient times, Indians have been using Haldi (Turmeric powder) as an antiseptic to heal wounds, kill pests, and for medicinal purposes.
2. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant native to India, widely used in Indian culture for thousands of years. Known for its medicinal, culinary, and cultural significance, turmeric has long been used in traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda, for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties.
3. In the 1990s, researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center obtained a U.S. patent on turmeric’s use for wound healing, treating it as a new discovery. However, this medicinal use was well-documented in Indian traditional knowledge, where turmeric had been applied to wounds for centuries.