OZ gene patent reform
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC), in Sydney, tabled a report examining Australia's laws and practices governing intellectual property rights over genetic materials and related technologies at the Australian Federal Parliament on August 31. The 700-page report “Genes and Ingenuity: Gene Patents and Human Health” was prompted by concerns about the implications of gene patents and licenses for the cost of and access to healthcare. Part of the recommendation of the commission includes the need for the Australian governments to be more active in challenging “dubious patents or questionable licensing practices” and to amend Australia's Patents Act in order to allow an exemption for experimental use. However, the report maintains that inventions involving genetic materials and technologies should be assessed according to the same legislative criteria as other inventions—and not be treated as discovery. “We are pleased that the ALRC are taking such an in-depth approach at looking at what is the life blood of innovation, which is our patent system, and also their willingness to listen and take on board industry comments,” says Tony Coulepis, executive director of the Australian biotechnology industry organization AusBiotech in Melbourne. A government response is expected after the October 9 federal election. KG
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