Navigation Links
Biotechnology needs 21st century patent system: Expert
Date:3/17/2008

Biotechnology discoveries like the method for creating synthetic life forms are at risk of being unduly hindered or taken hostage by private corporations unless patent systems are brought into the 21st century, an expert from The Australian National University argues.

Dr Matthew Rimmer from the ANU College of Law takes a broad look at the current state of international regulation around intellectual property rights and biological inventions in his new book and the prognosis is far from healthy.

Most patent systems around the world were developed during the industrial revolution, which means theyre ill equipped to deal with more complex range of inventions arising out of life sciences things like man-made micro-organisms, GM plants, the human genome and stem cells, Dr Rimmer says.

Dr Rimmer says that patent systems provide protections around inventions provided they satisfy criteria to do with novelty, an inventive step and utility. But he argues that such legal tools are not nuanced enough for biotechnical innovation, where inventions can be at once more intellectually subtle and morally ambiguous.

When it comes to biotechnology, our antiquated patent systems can have detrimental consequences either hampering the freedom of researchers to take full advantage of experimental use and the possibilities for innovation, or giving a lot of control over living things to a very small group of people.

Dr Rimmer laments the rise of patent trolls companies that take out patents on very slight biotechnical innovations, and then hold other researchers to ransom if they attempt to make any progress in that particular area.

On the other hand, he acknowledges the legal and ethical complexities surrounding the actions of scientists like those at the J. Craig Venter Institute in the US, who are trying to patent the method for creating a synthetic life-form. While the organism involved is incredibly simple, Dr Rimmer
'/>"/>

Contact: Simon Couper
Simon.Couper@anu.edu.au
61-261-254-171
Research Australia
Source:Eurekalert

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News reports on advances in miRNA
2. Workshops on biotechnology and water for science journalists
3. Monsanto expands sponsorship for Peking-Yale Joint Agrobiotechnology Center
4. Plant reflections may be key to early detection of treatment needs
5. Gene, stem cell therapy only needs to be 50 percent effective to create a healthy heart
6. Meeting real-world climate information needs of business, government
7. Europe needs collective effort on System Biology, says ESF Task Force
8. How will government spur technological innovation in the 21st century?
9. Building the future -- 21st century nano tools to repair the nervous system
10. Carnivores in recent study help Bergmanns rule reach the 21st century
11. St. Jude settles century-old debate on origin of mammalian network of lymphatic vessels
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Penn, Georgia collaboration awarded $14.6 million to expand pathogen database 2Penn, Georgia collaboration awarded $14.6 million to expand pathogen database 3Successful stem cell therapy for treatment of eye disease 2Breakthrough in monitoring tropical deforestation announced in Copenhagen 2Natural Pepper Skin Sprays Stop Any Itch In Minutes Without Burning 60740 1Natural Pepper Skin Sprays Stop Any Itch In Minutes Without Burning 60740 2Natural Pepper Skin Sprays Stop Any Itch In Minutes Without Burning 60740 3Cell Therapeutics Decreases Net Loss for Nine Month Period in 2009 Compared to Same Period in 2008 by 45 25 60735 1Cell Therapeutics Decreases Net Loss for Nine Month Period in 2009 Compared to Same Period in 2008 by 45 25 60735 2Cell Therapeutics Decreases Net Loss for Nine Month Period in 2009 Compared to Same Period in 2008 by 45 25 60735 3Cell Therapeutics Decreases Net Loss for Nine Month Period in 2009 Compared to Same Period in 2008 by 45 25 60735 4Cell Therapeutics Decreases Net Loss for Nine Month Period in 2009 Compared to Same Period in 2008 by 45 25 60735 5Cell Therapeutics Decreases Net Loss for Nine Month Period in 2009 Compared to Same Period in 2008 by 45 25 60735 6Cell Therapeutics Decreases Net Loss for Nine Month Period in 2009 Compared to Same Period in 2008 by 45 25 60735 7Regences Social Media Web Site Gets a Facelift 60731 1Regences Social Media Web Site Gets a Facelift 60731 2
Breaking Biology Technology:Life Line Screening Joins the Vascular Disease Foundation as Corporate Partner 2Life Line Screening Joins the Vascular Disease Foundation as Corporate Partner 3Neurocrine Announces Top-Line Results From 703 Study (Tulip PETAL Study) of Elagolix for Treatment of Endometriosis Pain 2Neurocrine Announces Top-Line Results From 703 Study (Tulip PETAL Study) of Elagolix for Treatment of Endometriosis Pain 3Neurocrine Announces Top-Line Results From 703 Study (Tulip PETAL Study) of Elagolix for Treatment of Endometriosis Pain 4Neurocrine Announces Top-Line Results From 703 Study (Tulip PETAL Study) of Elagolix for Treatment of Endometriosis Pain 5Neurocrine Announces Top-Line Results From 703 Study (Tulip PETAL Study) of Elagolix for Treatment of Endometriosis Pain 6Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Licenses Caldolor(R) (ibuprofen) Injection to DB Pharm Korea for Commercialization in South Korea 2Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Licenses Caldolor(R) (ibuprofen) Injection to DB Pharm Korea for Commercialization in South Korea 3Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Licenses Caldolor(R) (ibuprofen) Injection to DB Pharm Korea for Commercialization in South Korea 4Critical Step Toward Commercialization of Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer Achieved by Arrayit Diagnostics 2Critical Step Toward Commercialization of Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer Achieved by Arrayit Diagnostics 3Critical Step Toward Commercialization of Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer Achieved by Arrayit Diagnostics 4
Other Biology Technology:measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 2measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 3measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 4measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 5measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 6measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 7measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 8measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 9measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 10measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 11measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 12measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 13measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 14measuring cell proliferation with SpectraMax M5, M2 and Gemini microplate readers using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay 15Introducing,GenElute HP,Endotoxin-Free Plasmid,Maxiprep Kit 2Introducing,GenElute HP,Endotoxin-Free Plasmid,Maxiprep Kit 3Introducing,GenElute HP,Endotoxin-Free Plasmid,Maxiprep Kit 4Introducing,GenElute HP,Endotoxin-Free Plasmid,Maxiprep Kit 5Protocol for GenomePlex Whole Genome Amplification from Plant 2Protocol for GenomePlex Whole Genome Amplification from Plant 3Protocol for GenomePlex Whole Genome Amplification from Plant 4Protocol for GenomePlex Whole Genome Amplification from Plant 5Protocol for GenomePlex Whole Genome Amplification from Plant 6