Assessment of possible Intellectual Property Protection
options of Traditional Knowledge System in Ethiopia
Special Reference in Herbal Medicine for Livestock

TECHNOPOLICY BRIEF I No. 40

ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge Systemin Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

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ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge Systemin Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

2Assessment of possible Intellectual Property
Protection options of Traditional Knowledge
System in Ethiopia
Special Reference in Herbal Medicine for LivestockTibebu Solomon
Technology Transfer Team Leader
Ministry of Science & Technology
Ethiopia	  ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge Systemin Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

3This paper should be cited as:
African Technology Policy Studies, ATPS 2013: Assessment of possible Intellectual Property
Protection options of Traditional Knowledge System in Ethiopia, [Tibebu Solomon], ATPS
Technopolicy Brief No. 40© 2013Published by the African Technology Policy Studies Network

ISBN: 978-9966-030-50-4

ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge System
in Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

4Table of Contents
Acknowledgement				61.

Introduction				

72.

Key Concerns				

83.

Conclusion and Policy Options

10ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge System
in Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 405

Acknowledgements
This paper was produced as part of the implementation of the ATPS phase VI Strategic Plan,
2008-2012 funded by ATPS Donors including the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (DGIS)
the Netherlands, amongst others. The authors hereby thank the ATPS for the financial andtechnical support during the implementation of the Intellectual Property Program. The authors
particularly thank Prof. Kevin Urama, the Executive Director of the ATPS for his visionaryleadership as programme director; Mr. Joseph Wekundah the Executive Director of theBiotechnology Trust Africa (BTA) and Prof. Moni Wekesa (Mount Kenya University) who werecoordinators of the programme and Dr. Nicholas Ozor, Senior Research Officer (ATPS) andall the ATPS team members for their technical support during programme implementation.

ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge Systemin Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 406

1. Introduction
This research was initiated to exploit traditional knowledge on traditional herbal medicine
with special reference to livestock. Healing with Ethiopian traditional medicine is not only
concerned with curing of diseases but also with the protection and promotion of humanphysical, spiritual, social, mental and material wellbeing.
Medicinal plants and knowledge of their use provide a vital contribution to human andlivestock healthcare needs throughout the country. There are a number of traditional medicinalpractices that reflect the diversity of Ethiopian cultures. The protection and exploitation ofcommunity knowledge in a country with a rich biodiversity and cultural expressions suchas Ethiopia is not only of great importance to the knowledge-owner communities and thecountry, but also a global concern where knowledge transfer for the good of the human race
has been a contemporary agenda.
Knowledge categories in Ethiopia are believed to exist in most instances interdependently.
This fact may imply a common scenario for drafting a basic law for all traditional knowledge
systems. However, a holistic study on all knowledge systems is improbable. It may beimpossible to get the maximum out of a survey on all knowledge categories in one package.
Even if there may be a possible option for the study of all the knowledge categories in one
package, the study would be too broad to discover specific realities.
This study is on selected categories of knowledge and associated knowledge systems withthe reference to herbal medicine for livestock. The most pressing questions that this work
tried to answer are as follows:•••••

What really holds the knowledge?
Who are the sources of the knowledge?
Who is entitled to use and access the knowledge?
Which types of illnesses are treated?
What are the sources of the natural materials used for the preparation of herbal medicine?

ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge Systemin Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 407

2. Key Concerns
The study was carried out in a few selected areas in Ethiopia. Traditional healers in thestudy areas were found to be rich in their indigenous knowledge on the use of medicinalplants to manage various human and animal diseases. Traditional knowledge has originated,developed and is being practiced by traditional knowledge holders. This knowledge istransferred with own mechanism which is restrictive and family based.
A majority of the local healers collect medicinal plants alone and in great secrecy and no one
is allowed to see except some family members during this activity. The study confirmed that
79.5% of the knowledge was acquired from their father or uncle. 87.2% reported that theyacquired the whole knowledge from their mentors and further, that 84.6% of the respondents
didn’t improve the acquired knowledge. The survey revealed that 92.3% of the respondents
confirmed that their knowledge is well known by individuals in their community but not thewhole community. This indicated that such traditional knowledge is held by a limited classor members within the community who pass such skills and knowledge mainly to their kin.
The results further showed that Herbalists believe that restoration of the medicinal plants totheir natural habitat is important since the curing ability is believed to be more effective when
they are collected from their natural habitats rather than plants collected from areas where
they have been taken. It was also found that, all healers have their own specialization. This
generation is specialized on gene and mental development. This knowledge has never been
disclosed to anybody, not even the generation at risk. This also revealed that 64.10 % of therespondents were not willing to share their knowledge with the researchers.
In summary, the research revealed the following points:••••••••••••

Customary systems have their own rule based systems governing access to and use oftraditional knowledge.
Special traditional knowledge is held by a certain group within the community.
Traditional Medicinal knowledge has been passed from generation to generation without
improving the original knowledge. Moreover, some specific knowledge is lost in betweengenerations.
Documentation of medicinal uses of plants is becoming urgent.
Traditional healers protect their knowledge through secrets.
Results from the study areas revealed that customary law is still being practiced.
The spiritual aspect of traditional medicine cannot be separated from the physiologicaluses of plants.
Traditional knowledge is held by specific community members and not by the wholecommunity.
There is knowledge specialization between healers. Most healers are known to be bestat some specific areas of medication.
Plants used in preparation of the medicines are not well known. This hindered theprotection of biodiversity in regard to these plants.
One`s whole knowledge is disclosed to his/her family members but the rest of thecommunity would only know the most common knowledge.
No one, even within the owner’s family, can practice the knowledge without the owner`s

ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge System
in Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

8•••permission.
Knowledge is transferred orally. This leads to knowledge being lost in the process fromgeneration to generation.
Traditional medicine is prepared by harvesting the roots.
Restoration of the medicinal plants to their natural habitat is important to their curing
ability.

ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge System
in Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

93. Conclusion and Policy Options
This study concludes that:••••••••••••••••••The traditional healers’ knowledge should be protected through appropriate sui generis
intellectual property right protection using customary law and international agreements
need to be put in place.
Systematic cultivation of medicinal plants should be introduced in order to conserve
biodiversity and protect threatened species.
An urgent need to formulate an array of incentive measures to ensure that members of
the younger generations would desire to learn, value, adapt and apply the traditional
knowledge.
The government should create an environment where the traditional healers cancommunicate with researchers and reveal secret medicinal cures and their beliefs oftreatment.
Traditional medicinal policy, regulations and working guidelines must be approved.
The government must resolve the differences and disagreements between the traditional
herbalists and modern medical practitioners.
Promote the incorporation of conservation science in school curricula, with particularreference to Medicinal Plants issues.
Promote the understanding/appreciation of traditional knowledge on Medicinal Plants
and their applications as an important part of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage.
Creating and strengthening awareness on the traditional health system which includes
acknowledging the usefulness and need for conservation of the plants on which thetraditional system depends on.
Establishing a system of incentives and awards to recognize outstanding achievement inhealth care and development, whether by an individual or by a group.
Organizing and strengthening the traditional healers association at local community,
regional and countrywide level.
Ensuring that the policy, which sets priorities and programs for research, includes theconservation, domestication and cultivation of medicinal plants.
Establishing legal mechanisms that recognize the rights of communities over themedicinal plants in their care/area.
Incorporating information from traditional knowledge systems into school curricula andactively encourage efforts to pass on knowledge.
Establishing a system to collect, organize, conserve and protect medicinal plants.
Enact laws on the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants.
Issue laws and regulations defining the rights and duties of traditional practitioners,
herbalists, communities and other stakeholders.
Put in place relevant laws to regulate traditional medical and herbal practices.

ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge System
in Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

10ATPS (2013): Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional Knowledge System
in Ethiopia. ATPS Technopolicy Brief No. 40

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ISBN: 978-9966-030-50-4