I hope that every one of us will keep our Thainess by eating Thai rice, not farang rice…I thank everyone who has worked on the rice patent issue.
- King Bhumibol Adulyadej quoted in “HM King praises Thai rice patent”, Bangkok Post, 25 June 2009.
I don’t spend much time scouting around for this kind of thing (so I can’t claim that my efforts have been comprehensive) but in my brief search I failed to come up with anything resembling this patent. Can any New Mandala readers point us in the right direction? Is there more information on exactly what has been patented?
10 responses so far ↓
1 meaw // Jun 25, 2009 at 11:17 am
the gene that control fragrant in (jasmine?) rice.
http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1245860780&grpid=00&catid=42
2 Nicholas Farrelly // Jun 25, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Thanks meaw,
Great video is available there. I appreciate it. Can anybody point to, say, an entry in a patent library with some evidence of the patent recognition?
Best wishes to all,
Nich
3 MongerSEA // Jun 25, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Perhaps this?
United States Patent 7,319,181
Vanavichit , et al.
January 15, 2008
Transgenic rice plants with reduced expression of Os2AP and elevated levels of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline
Abstract
The aromatic compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline-is the major potent flavor component of all aromatic rice. This present invention provides transgenic rice plants in which 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline is synthesized at a level greater than in naturally occurring non-aromatic varieties. The transgenic plants have reduced expression of the Os2AP gene and protein, resulting in an aromatic phenotype.
4 jonfernquest // Jun 25, 2009 at 4:22 pm
The short article didn’t provide the background on the intellectual property issues.
Western countries and particularly the US have foisted an intellectual property regime on lesser developed countries that don’t have the scientific and legal infrastructure in place to protect their legal rights.
This was the case in an earlier Jasmine rice patent case in which a US scientist sought to develop a US variety of Jasmine rice:
http://www.biotech-info.net/jasmine_rice.html
In the article, the King recognises the important contribution the researchers have made and the researchers recognise the King’s contribution of moral and spiritual leadership and support. Different from the West but really pretty simple.
5 Susie Wong // Jun 27, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I am disappointed that the Thai government does not take integrity issue seriously even with topic that should not be politicized like research and development issue. Agricultural development especially rice productivity owed a great deal to IFPRI of the United States (can Google up this fact). Professor Ammar Siamwala was the person who coordinated the activities between the two governments during the height of the Cold War in the ’70s era. Improving rice productivity was part of the United States assistance on the counter-insurgency program at the time. Its aim was to increase income for farmers in the Northeast region.
I think refusing the fact about the origin of rice productivity development which was assisted by IFPRI of the United States, is bad enough. “Rally around the flag” on issue of rice, against those who used to help Thailand develop its rice productivity, in my opinion, is simply plain wrong.
6 Ralph Kramden // Jun 27, 2009 at 7:51 pm
There’s a short article in the print edition of the Nation headlined “No patent for Thai jasmine rice’s aroma” where it is said that the Intellectual Property department can’t patent an aroma because it does not arise from innovation. Reports that they are going to contact the National Science and Technology Development Agency to see if such a patent can be registered in any way.
Is this the same alleged patent or something else?
7 polo // Jun 27, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Just what is “farang rice”? Basmati, patna, japonica? Chinese sticky rice? Bhutan red? Are they all “farangs”?
Or are Thais replacing their own Khao neaw with Italian-farang arborio in mango-and-sticky-rice?
Or maybe they are just taking to “Unken Ben’s” from the US.
Well, whatever, eat any of those and you won’t be Thai anymore. Neh nawn. Doubly so for Kentucky.
Actually, didn’t the king in 1998 tell everyone to eat unpolished red/brown rice and beans?
8 Bystander // Jun 28, 2009 at 5:22 am
It’s just standard defensive patenting, nothing unusual or extraordinary, it’s done by many countries. Maybe it’s unusual in that it’s rarely accomplished here to the level where the actual patent is granted, when it should have been done more often and started many years ago. And in this case HM is just doing his job as any head of state would do.
Per Susie’s comment on IFPRI, methink it’s understandable if people who live through the cold war didn’t think they owe anything to the US. It’s not like it’s given to Thailand out of pure altruism. It’s quid pro quo through and through. Look up how deep Thailand got involved in the Vietnam war.
9 Susie Wong // Jun 30, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Integrity should be important to any person, let alone those holding public office. Now I understand why he needs to use Lese Majeste Law to force respect.
10 Kulap // Jul 1, 2009 at 6:57 am
Susie Wong–
Didn’t the Int’l Rice Research Institute have a big role in developing hybrids? Perhaps more significant in other countries?
At least initially, IRRI was primarily funded by Rockefeller, Ford and World Bank, I think. Not that any of them are ever given much credit. Mahidol U should be named Rockefeller U.
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