Challenges to human embryonic stem cell patents.
The patenting of human embryonic stem (hES) cells has produced one of the most unusual and fraught situations in the history of science, ethics, and law. This Commentary examines legal and moral challenges to three foundational patents held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). We conclude that, in the United States, technical challenges may, paradoxically, produce a stronger patent position for WARF. In the European Union, moral challenges mean confusion for member states. We demonstrate that hES cell intellectual property will be guided and bound by a welter of moral, technical, and legal inputs, with discrete national and jurisdictional dimensions.
Plomer
Aurora
A
Sheffield Institute of Biotechnological Law and Ethics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 1FL, UK.
Taymor
Kenneth S
KS
Scott
Christopher Thomas
CT
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells; D005060:Europe; D005582:Foundations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D010330:Patents as Topic / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States; D014922:Wisconsin