Gene patents in the dock

Decoding gene patents in Australia.

Patents directed to naturally occurring genetic material, such as DNA, RNA, chromosomes, and genes, in an isolated or purified form have been granted in Australia for many years. This review provides scientists with a summary of the gene patent debate from an Australian perspective and specifically reviews how the various levels of the legal system as they apply to patents-the Australian Patent...

The perils of gene patents.

I argue here that gene patents, and patented genetic tests based on them, are a very bad idea. First, I discuss whether genes can reasonably be the subject of patents in the first place; I maintain that the answer is no. Second, I explain how gene patents interfere with scientific progress, slowing down the development of new cures and treatments for genetic diseases.

Human gene patents.

The concept of a patent on a human gene seems foreign to most people. Even those who understand the fundamentals of the patent system seem bewildered and confused by many issues relating to human genes. This article describes the scope and limitations of gene patents and the types of exemptions that have been proposed or allowed. It addresses and clarifies these and other issues, including the ...

Authority in the Dock

Raising the bar for gene patents

working draft of the human genome sequence, attention is turning once again to the controversial issue of gene patenting. In response to mounting criticism about the ease with which some groups have been able to apply for and receive patents on poorly characterized human gene sequences, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently released new guidelines that will affect the outcome ...