WHO Pandemic Treaty: Navigating the Ethical Divide between IP Rights and Global Health Equity

A significant point of contention is the PABS system. Developing countries are often the primary sources of pathogen samples and genetic sequence data. While they share this data globally to facilitate research, they frequently find themselves excluded from the benefits—namely, the vaccines and diagnostics derived from that data. India has consistently advocated for a treaty that ensures 'equitable access' to medical products, technology transfer, and the scaling up of local manufacturing capacities in developing regions. From an ethical perspective, this debate reflects the tension between 'National Interest' and 'Global Common Good.' It raises fundamental questions about the 'Ethics of International Relations': Should the profit motives and property rights of corporations take precedence over the universal right to health? The resolution of this deadlock will determine whether future global health governance is based on charity or on a justice-based framework of mutual accountability. UPSC Relevance: This topic is highly relevant for GS Paper II (International Institutions) and GS Paper IV (Ethical issues in International Relations). It serves as a potent case study for questions regarding the North-South divide, the role of the WHO in global governance, and the ethical dilemmas involving Intellectual Property Rights versus humanitarian needs.