Jailing of scientists raises fears of repression in Brazil

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."