Can a country ban oversea biotechnology research out of an endemic plant that is only found in its territory?
<p>This question was closed on <a href="https://biology.stackexchange.com/">biology.se</a> and I was advised to ask it here.  </p>

<p>For illustration, say there is a plant that is only found in the Amazon rainforest. New drugs can be potentially invented from it.<br>
Now, can the Brazilian govt prohibit any kind of research outside its territory (i.e Europe, US,..) on that plant in order to have the monopoly on its research and derived products?</p>

<p>A government, in this case the Brazilian government, cannot effectively control what people, particularly people who are not its citizens, do in other countries. If people are able to obtain and ship outside of Brazil supplies of the plant, then the Brazilian government cannot stop them doing research on it.</p>

<p>However, the Brazilian government can largely control what happens in Brazil. It can ban or restrict cultivation or harvesting of the plant. (Let's call it <em>Athelas</em>.) It can pass a law requiring an Athelas harvester's license, and only approve licenses for citizens of Brazil who agree not to sell or transfer any Athelas to anyone outside Brazil. Indeed it can require that any Athelas harvester have a contract with a firm doing research in Brazil. </p>

<p>Whether such restrictions would be effective cannot be said in advance. They might be evaded. They might not be allowed under the Brazilian Constitution. But such restrictiosn might serve the purpose that the Brazilian government has in mind.</p>

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