The maintenance of biological and traditional knowledge can be viable only if it makes economic sense in the cultural, political, and developmental situation of the countries concerned. Special attention needs to be given to maintaining biological diversity in areas where other natural resources are being used.
Traditional knowledge is as threatened and is as valuable as biological diversity.
Both resources deserve respect and must be conserved. Traditional healers and indigenous peoples have valuable knowledge and important observations and analytical capabilities. These specialists may know almost all of the useful and medicinal plants available in the ecosystem. Efforts to develop drugs from medicinal plants should address disease and health problems seen in developing countries as well as diseases which primarily affect developed countries' populations. Compensation and Intellectual Property Rights Intellectual property rights should be extended in some form to traditional knowledge, and mechanisms to provide appropriate protection and compensation are urgently needed.