ABSTRACT
This chapter acknowledges the interrelations between humans and biodiversity in Southeast Asia throughout history to the present day. Humans are entirely dependent on nature, specifically biodiversity, for a number of utilitarian purposes: foods, fibers, medicines, building materials, biotechnologies, and other things. Pfeiffer et al. examine the Tabo community, known ethnically and linguistically as Kemp Manggarai, of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. The Tado farmers previously relied on traditional landraces originating from their region as well as from Sumbawa, Java, and Sulawesi. The attempt to genetically modify and trademark and/or patent rice varieties such as Khao Dok Mali 105 by US researchers has led to significant public outcry in Thailand. It is not too far a step now to consider traditional medicinal knowledge, because it is often the case in Southeast Asia that certain foods are also believed - or known - to have medicinal properties.
