Although Novartis gave China monetary compensation for its plants, that does not let them off the hook as far as moral responsibility for the environment. It also does not let China off the hook because someone else is taxing their environment by exhausting their natural resource. Just as the two are collaborating on a business deal, both are morally responsible for protecting and defending the source that contributes economically to both of them. A lot is at stake when you look ahead. Novartis needs to protect its future in more ways than one. If China’s miracle drugs expand the number of natural cures for the drug company, the monetary gains could be huge, but can nature keep up? To protect this lucrative avenue, Novartis must also protect the provider. On the other hand, China must hold them accountable and ensure a moral obligation to their endangered environment. However, with China’s westward expansion, this causes a dilemma and an uphill battle for Novartis. You have China progressing west which could threaten plants that could hold miracle cures. Then you have Novartis and its need for China’s plants. Both movements could lead to extinction of a valuable resource. Novartis has a moral obligation to help protect China’s environment, but China’s westward expansion may leave Novartis feeling like it’s eating soup with a fork.

Any business that maximizes its profits by taxing the environment has to be held accountable; it’s an ethical responsibility. Whether it’s the oil or lumber industry, Novartis is in the same company. When the balance of nature is upset by man, he must make amends. A country such as China, going through an industrial revolution is also going to place increasing demands on the environment. The Chinese government must be a watchdog as it invites businesses that bring them into the world market.

Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that the rural poor will lead the way in China’s reformation.

The majority of my students are rural born and raised and surprisingly many are anxious to return to their homes to improve the quality of living for their neighbors. I believe that education and abject poverty will soon prove to be a lethal mix for the current system.

If you guys head South I hope you will let me spring for some Guangzhou cuisine and expat chatter…

Best,

Lon

First, the connection between Dr. Morris’s presentation on China and the contents of this article are amazing. It’s surprising that Western medical companies are just now realizing that China has a thousand year head start on curing medical problems with plants and substances found in rainforests and nature.

Second, the co-operation being exhibited by both the Chinese and foreign drug manufactures is great. Not that I am an expert in international relations, but I can’t recall a situation where two groups on opposite ends of the political spectrum have been so willing to co-operate. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

Recently it has become apparent that answers to many medical secretes could lie in the worlds tropical and remote forest regions. Unfortunately, many of these lands are being destroyed due to deforestation and urbanization. Herein lies the question. How concerned are multinational conglomerates about deforestation and preservation of ecosystems? How concerned is the Chinese government about over population and urbanization of farmlands? (The answer to the latter question is very concerned) Is the bottom line more important, or is providing a clean healthy place for our children to live the priority? Not to get onto an ideological rant but it’s a basic question of ethics. Where do our priorities ly? It is clear that the Chinese are very aware and are taking steps to curb overpopulation. But it is not so clear if big corporations are so concerned with the ecological conditions left in their wake.

The water supply in China is becoming more and more polluted/contaminated by the various factories that are dumping waste into the water. This is not only starting to pose a huge problem for workers that rely on these water supplies, but also on the population as a whole. Those contaminated water supplies are being used in the agriculture industry. Because of this, many of these foods are not qualified to enter the USA because of the many regulations and standards we have for our food. These crops are being used to feed the people of China. It is early to tell the health issues and repercussions of these actions, but I think it would be better to address the issue now before it is too late.

As for deforestation, I think this is an issue that not only needs to be addressed in China, but on a global scale. Many scientists attribute El Nino to the fact that the deforesting that went on hundreds of years ago had a major impact on the climate, in which resulted in droughts and floods hundreds of years later. But as stated above, economies need lumber in order to survive. So, there is a huge tradeoff between what benefits the now and what harms the future. What do you guys think about the water supply and deforestation issues?

Great blog, by the way (One Man Bandwidth). I love reading your stuff.

Chris

Nice post…

Greetings from South China

Lonnie B Hodge

The same thing has been happening in South America for a long time. The local people have no choice but to cut down the rainforest because it is their source of revenue. It is their means of survival. I have a feeling that China may be feeling similarly but more in the business context. China wants its’ economy, markets, and businesses to survive and it seems that destroying the environment is the price China is willing to pay. How do we stop China from destroying such valuable resources when it feels like it is necessary to cut them down?