title: Patents on random complementary DNA fragments?
abstract: The proposal by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to patent products resulting merely from sequencing the human genome is a mistake: at worst, it is wrong in patent law; at best, it relies on deficiencies in law concerning what is "useful" as a requirement for patents. The proposal is symptomatic of a problem besieging biotechnology--attempts to control the raw material of scientific experimentation before research has determined the practical value of such material--that needs curing on many fronts. Corrective measures are proposed for adoption by the Executive branch, the Congress, and the courts.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Kiley
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D035082:Federal Government; D015894:Genome, Human; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D033222:Judicial Role; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D010330:Patents as Topic; D035521:Supreme Court Decisions; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004247:DNA