Traditional Medicine

Who owns traditional medicine? Does any group have a claim to  traditional beliefs, practices, or the physical materials such as plants or medicines? Should they be available to anyone to participate in, perform, or use?

Provide an argument regarding whether you think that traditional medicine can be owned, and if so what aspects and by whom. Be sure to comment on any differences between belief, practice, or materials in relation to your argument. Then, use one of the examples provided in class (Native American Spirituality or the Maya ICBG project) as a case study supporting the position you take within your argument.