biopiracy

American  

[bahy-oh-pahy-ruh-see] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈpaɪ rə si /

noun

1. the commercial exploitation or monopolization of biological or genetic material, as medicinal plant extracts, usually without compensating the Indigenous peoples or countries from which the material or relevant knowledge is obtained.

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biopiracy British  

/ ˈbaɪəʊˌpaɪrəsɪ /

noun

1. the use of wild plants by international companies to develop medicines, without recompensing the countries from which they are taken

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• biopirate
  noun

Etymology

Origin of biopiracy

First recorded in 1990–95; bio- ( def. ) + piracy ( def. )

Example Sentences

Those arrested were convicted on charges of biopiracy and ordered to pay fines or serve 12 months in jail - they opted to pay the $7,700 fee and the foreign nationals left the country.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Brazil is one of several countries increasingly concerned about so-called "biopiracy," the use of genetic resources without permission or benefit-sharing.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Despite the concerns, many see a way to craft an agreement that both restricts biopiracy and fosters research.

From Nature • Mar. 26, 2020

In theory, smart contracts of this sort would give governments wary of biopiracy peace of mind, while also encouraging companies big and small to experiment with the data.

From Economist • Jan. 23, 2018

It codifies a nation’s sovereign right to its genetic resources and is intended to address accusations of biopiracy, in which researchers and industry from wealthier nations exploit local resources and knowledge without recognizing the source.

From Slate • Apr. 7, 2017