By: Riaz K Tayob

Riaz K Tayob — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:01:03 +0000

This is just power politics. Even the contributions of viruses that developing countries routinely make to WHO are captured in databases on the evolution of the virus in certain labs approved by WHO. Access to these databases is proprietary, whereas they are derived from “free” donations of protected biodiversity of developing countries. How can regional capacity be developed for vaccines when this kind of imbalance is apparent in the world system (that a tracking system of donations does not even deal with)?

When WHO was caught with its pants down allowing companies to expropriate developing country knowledge from viruses in contravention of its own guidelines, it simply removed them from its website. This is the balance and fairness from impartial civil servants…

And if a developing country health minister makes a conspiratorial point, that biological weapons are possibility (she may have been over the top, but not far off the mark as things go) polite sensible opinion dismissed her as a freak.

One wonders at the advice WHO receives when IPR matters were pulled to the highest levels of the WHO governance structure… when will poor people matter for WHO that tips its hat defering to the WTO and WIPO as a UN agency but at least on Human Rights Rapporteurs show now such feudal deference…

Comments on: WHO Group Keeps Lid On Bird Flu Lab Results – For Now

By: Riaz K Tayob