Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

Researchers are said to be targeting the Cockpit Country, and seeking out persons with knowledge of local folk medicines in an apparent attempt to cash in on what many believe to be an under-exploited pharmaceutical gold mine.

"People from as far away as Japan have been here asking questions about various plants and their use," said Maurice Baines, a South Trelawny farmer.

"Some have even collected samples of various plants."

While noting that he has no specific knowledge of the alleged invasion by researchers, Hugh Dixon, chairman of the South Trelawny Environmental Agency (STEA), wants government to declare the Cockpit Country a protected area and put mechanisms in place to encourage studies and research.

"We need to put measures in place to log whatever research is being done and who is doing it," said Mr. Dixon. "We need systems in place to ensure that Jamaica benefits from whatever is happening and that the people who are sharing their knowledge get the requisite copyright protection."

Lonnette Fisher, manager of Copyrights & Related Rights at the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), shares Mr. Dixon's sentiments. She said one of the prerequisites for copyright protection would be to declare the area a protected one, which is the prerogative of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

"There might also be implications for other copyright related areas such as patent," commented Ms. Fisher, whose organisation is currently celebrating Intellectual Property Week.

"As a first step, I would encourage the people with the local knowledge to document what they know, either in writing or video recording because once that is done, it automatically gets copyright protection."

Creating future wealth

However, for renowned folk healer Delroy 'Ras D' Scott, who has been using plants from the Cockpit Country to produce folk medicine for over 22 years, he is delighted with the interest being shown by the researchers, as he sees their work as a catalyst in creating future wealth for the area.

"Based on my knowledge and the work I have been doing with plants over the years, I believe there is a cure for every ailment in these mountains," said Mr. Scott. "I am sure that if medicine is developed from these plants, benefit will come back to the community."