Genetic Patents in the News

March 25, 2009
Intellectual Property News and Interesting Facts

A recent article published in the Nature journal about research done on bacteria that can facilitate gene transfer has highlighted the quick advances in the field of genetic patents. A group of scientists has developed an alternative to genetic modifications to plants.

This open source method sidesteps the need for expensive genetic patents. With this open source method any scientist can use the technique without licenses for genetic patents. It is however, not a case of just copying and using the method.

The scientists wishing to use the method must make any improvements they have made public. This is the loophole to ensure that it cannot be patented.

A debate has developed around the issue regarding genetic patents where one group feels that open source methods such as the above will hinder competitive business and the other group argues that it will stimulate interactivity and improvements in the field.