[NYTr] Brazil: Jailing of Scientists Raises Accusations of Repression

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

[Many  have a well-founded skepticism about some of the accusations
against Lula or other Latin American leaders who are doing what they
can to maintain their countries' sovreignty over energy, natural
and other bio resources such as DNA, medicinal plants, etc. that have
often been exploited for profit in the name of "science" by
corporations.  It's not clear what kind of "research" -- if any -- was
being done with the orphaned primates at van Roosmalen's rescue center
in the Amazon and there may be more to the story.  But Lula's been
getting a lot of bad press for corruption in his government -- and if
the facts of this case are as Doyle portrays them, it looks pretty bad.
-NY Transfer]


The Independent - Aug 29, 2007

Jailing of scientists raises fears of repression in Brazil

By Leonard Doyle in Washington

In 2000, "Time" magazine elected Marc van Roosmalen, a Dutch 
primatologist, as one of the "Heroes of the Planet" for his work in the 
Amazon.

But even though his research has led to the discovery of five species
of monkey as well as a new primate genus, earlier this year he was
arrested and sentenced to almost 16 years in jail. He is now out on
bail, pending an appeal, but the impact on scientific research has been
dramatic.

Dr van Roosmalen's crime was keeping orphaned monkeys (whose parents 
were slain by hunters) in a refuge at his home in the Amazon without
the appropriate permits.

Field research requires approval from up to five government agencies in 
Brazil. And it can take up to two years to get it.

Last month, a biologist conference in Latin America saw 287 scientists 
from 30 countries sign a petition stating that the jailing of Dr van 
Roosmalen was "indicative of a trend of governmental repression of 
scientists in Brazil".

It is widely speculated that bribes from the timber extraction and soya 
industries led to his arrest and conviction because of his high-profile 
actions in seeking to protect the Amazon rainforest. The Worldwide Fund 
for Nature (WWF) is championing his cause in order to bring 
international attention to the issue.

Brazilian scientists are also furious at the government's behaviour. 
"Research needs to be stimulated, not criminalised," Ennio Candotti, a 
physicist who has been the president of the Brazilian Society for the 
Progress of Science, the country's leading scientific body, for the
past four years told The New York Times. "Instead, we have a situation
in which overzealous bureaucrats consider everyone guilty unless they
can prove their innocence."

The petition by the world community of biologists also warned that the 
treatment of Dr van Roosmalen is unduly harsh and is "already 
discouraging biological research in Brazil".

Brazilian officials are adamant that they are protecting the country's 
vast natural and genetic resources from bio-piracy by foreign
reseachers.

Recently the pharmaceutical company Bristol-Meyers Squibb extracted 
venom from the Brazilian jararaca or pit viper to help develop the drug 
Capoten. Brazil claims it is owed royalties for the drug, which is used 
to fight heart failure.

Brazilian Indian tribes have also complained that samples of their 
blood, taken under circumstances they say were unethical, are being
used in genetic research around the world without permission.

But scientists say Brazilian efforts to end bio-piracy have gone 
overboard. "We wanted to protect the environment and traditional 
knowledge, but the legislation is so restrictive that it has given rise 
to abuses and a lack of common sense," Dr Candotti said. "The result is 
paranoia and a disaster for science. There are Talibans in the 
government who say they are defending the national interest, but they 
end up weakening and hurting it."

Dr van Roosmalen is a naturalised Brazilian citizen but was tried as a 
foreigner and initially denied the right to appeal.

"This trial was conducted in a completely irregular fashion, and on 
trumped-up charges," Miguel Barrella, one of Dr van Roosmalen's
lawyers, told The New York Times. "They couldn't prove the bio-piracy 
accusations, so they concocted a series of spurious accusations, such
as the unauthorised lodging of monkeys at his home."