Manuele Franceschini

Biopirates: The São Luis Letter

Manuele Franceschini

In December 2000, in the Brazilian city of São Luís do Maranhão, 23 shamans of various indigenous Brazilian groups claimed the patent of their traditional knowledge through the "Letter of Sao Luis". Between cities and forests, the Indians seek tools to defend themselves against the assaults of the multinational pharmaceutical industry and to protect biodiversity.