Bioprospecting in Chiapas
Series: Here Where We Live: Mexico and NAFTA
From: Round Earth Media
Length: 00:07:56
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Mexico has one of the world's greatest diversity of plants. Over the years, Mexican Indians have developed cures using these plants. When the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect just over ten years ago, it opened the door to foreign businesses, including international drug companies. In a search for new medicines, these companies approached the Mexican Indians. But opposition from Indian healers has put a stop to the drug companies' plans. Independent producers Mary Stucky and Mary Losure's report is one in a series of stories looking at the impact of free trade on the land and people of Mexico.
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Piece Description
Mexico has one of the world's greatest diversity of plants. Over the years, Mexican Indians have developed cures using these plants. When the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect just over ten years ago, it opened the door to foreign businesses, including international drug companies. In a search for new medicines, these companies approached the Mexican Indians. But opposition from Indian healers has put a stop to the drug companies' plans. Independent producers Mary Stucky and Mary Losure's report is one in a series of stories looking at the impact of free trade on the land and people of Mexico.
Broadcast History
A different version of this piece will run on Marketplace during Collaboration week.
Additional Files
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Dmae Roberts
Posted on April 24, 2005 at 12:52 PM | Permalink
Review of Bioprospecting in Chiapas
A solid series about how NAFTA is affecting Mexico and its residents. This particular piece deals with pharamaceutical companies in conflict with Mexican healers and their knowledge of indigenous plants. This is a classic example of cultural consumerism. Pharmaceutical companies think nothing about taking a plant in a country that isn't theirs and patenting it to make a profit. How the Mexican healers are battling this is the crux of this piece. The producers are to be commended for these sound rich and varied pieces. I think they are a must for American stations to air. The only criticism I have is a mild technical one. There are soft p-puffs (not full pops) on the narration voicing. I'd soften those a little for future pieces. Other than that, I say station check out these pieces!