Ethical Concerns about Psilocybin Intellectual Property
Konstantin Gerber, Inti García Flores, Angela Christina Ruiz, Ismail L. Ali, Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, Eduardo Ekman Schenberg
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science January 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00171 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSince a 1957 Life Magazine article, chemical compounds from Psilocybe mushrooms have been the subject of many patent attempts, including recent ones for treating depression. The Mazatec indigenous communities, who have used these traditional medicines for millennia, are not included in any of these patents, despite international treaties that recognize indigenous rights to their intangible cultural heritage.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Indigenous Intellectual property Environmental ethics Traditional knowledge |
| Citations | 54 |
| Key finding | Mazatec indigenous communities are excluded from patents on Psilocybe mushroom compounds, contrary to international treaties on indigenous cultural heritage rights. |
Abstract
Since a 1957 exposé in Life Magazine, chemical compounds derived from Psilocybe mushrooms have been the focus of dozens of attempted and successful patents, most recently to treat depression. Regrettably, the Mazatec indigenous communities who stewarded these traditional medicines for millenia are not party to any of these patents, despite a number of international treaties asserting indigenous rights to their intangible cultural heritage.