France to revise bioethics law
A revised version of the French Bioethics Law is due for second and final reading before being voted on by the French parliament in the first week of April. Industry observers say the revisions do not address researcher needs and may curb private investment in the French biotechnology industry. As it currently reads, the proposed law would prevent research on embryonic stem cells (including therapeutic cloning for the purpose of medically assisted procreation), and contradicts EU directive 98/44 on the patenting of genes. Specifically, the revisions specify the limits of gene patentability, which can normally be defined only by a court in an infringement lawsuit. According to Jacques Warcoin, specialist in biotechnology at intellectual property consultancy Cabinet Regimbeau (Paris, France), if the law passes, then both basic research and the biotechnology industry will be stifled in France because investors will likely avoid investing in a country where the national law goes against European law. Meanwhile, on February 23, President Chirac called for an international ban of therapeutic cloning, further exemplifying the general anti-biotechnology attitude that is likely to continue to dissuade private investment into the French biotechnology industry, in spite of recent government incentives to encourage creation of startups (Nat. Biotechnol. 21, 113–114, 2003). SL
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