[Patentability of living material: public health concerns (1/2)].
A TOPICAL SUBJECT: The patentability of living material provokes debate in the scientific and medical world, but also concerns the political and legal circles. REGARDING PATENTS: Laws govern intellectual property rights and patients. There are contradictory arguments advanced by those who are in favour or who are opposed to patents, and particular problems related to the patenting of living organisms, particularly since the progress made in genomic research. ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: It is important to underline the limits imposed by the protection of intellectual property, regarding the access by all to any progress issued from research. The provisions must be widened in order to bypass the patents, when the health and nutrition of populations are at stake. It is essential to come to the universal accessibility, particularly in developing countries, to all innovations and that all knowledge be shared.
Manuel
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Laboratoire de santé publique, Faculté de médecine, 27, bd Jean Moulin 13005 Marseille. lsp@medecine.univ-mrs.fr
Hairion
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Antoniotti
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Lafon
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Siméoni
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Auquier
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D000818:Animals; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D036281:Genetic Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D018973:Intellectual Property; D051379:Mice; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010330:Patents as Topic / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics; D011634:Public Health; D014944:World Health Organization