When Nature Goes Public: The Making and Unmaking of Bioprospecting in Mexico

Bioprospecting, which involves trading plant resources for promises of royalties or development assistance, is intended to foster new medicines while incentivizing conservation and supporting indigenous communities. However, questions arise about whether pharmaceutical profits genuinely benefit conservation and indigenous rights, and how compensation should be managed. This anthropological study investigates the complexities of bioprospecting through a case involving Mexico's National Autonomous University, revealing the diverse and often conflicting interests of researchers, plant vendors, and local communities. It explores how bioprospecting practices intersect with scientific research, intellectual property, and global market dynamics, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of linking conservation with commercial interests.

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