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Genes and patent policy: rethinking intellectual property rights

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 3, pages 803–808 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Concerns about human gene patents go beyond moral disquiet about creating a commodity from a part of the human body and also beyond legal questions about whether genes are unpatentable products of nature. New concerns are being raised about harm to public health and to research. In response to these concerns, various policy options, such as litigation, legislation, patent pools and compulsory licensing, are being explored to ensure that gene patents do not impede the practice of medicine and scientific progress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Princeton University and Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 West Adams Street, Chicago, 60661-3691, Illinois, USA

    Lori B. Andrews

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  1. Lori B. Andrews
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DATABASES

LocusLink

APOE

aspartoacylase

BRCA1

BRCA2

HFE

OMIM

Alzheimer disease

Canavan disease

haemochromatosis

FURTHER INFORMATION

American College of Medical Genetics

College of American Pathologists

Cure Autism Now

European Patent Office

Food and Drug Administration

Institut Curie

Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights

US Patent and Trademark Office

World Medical Association

World Trade Organization

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Andrews, L. Genes and patent policy: rethinking intellectual property rights. Nat Rev Genet 3, 803–808 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg909

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