intellectual property | Nuffield Council on Bioethics

GM crops in developing countries

This discussion paper is a follow-up to the Council's 1999 report on GM crops.

With a particular focus on developing countries, the paper reviews the scientific evidence, socio-economic trends, and developments in policy, trade and regulation.

Patenting DNA

Thousands of patents for DNA sequences have been granted. This report considers whether the DNA patent system is achieving its aims of stimulating innovation for the public good, and rewarding people for useful new inventions.

Patenting DNA - Uses for DNA sequences

We distinguish four different uses to which DNA sequences can be put:

diagnostic tests based on genes
research tools
gene therapy
production of therapeutic proteins

We note that patents that assert rights over DNA sequences and their uses are, in some cases, supportable, but in others, should be treated with great caution.

Patenting DNA - Key findings

The remarkable development and application of new genetic technologies over the past 25 years has been accompanied by profound changes in the way in which research is commercialised in the life sciences. Many thousands of patents which assert rights over DNA sequences have been granted to researchers across the public and private sector.

Patenting DNA - Chapter downloads

You can download the individual chapters of this report using the links below. (All files are PDFs and less than 1.4MB).

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - The patent system

Chapter 3 - Patenting DNA

Biofuels - External consultation

The consultation calling for people's views on the potential of new types of biofuels closed on 15 March 2010. The Council would like to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation.

View individual consultation responses

A summary of the consultation responses is available in Appendix 2 of the report Biofuels: ethical issues.

Nuffield Council on Bioethics urges caution in patenting DNA

Patents involving DNA sequences should be the exception rather than the rule, according to a paper published today (23 July 2002) by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. The Discussion Paper, The ethics of patenting DNA, recommends a number of significant changes to the way that patents are granted involving DNA sequences.

Council to hold roundtable meetings on patenting DNA

Many companies and universities throughout the world are seeking to file patents on gene sequences and proteins. Questions remain, however, over the moral implications of protecting rights to property in this kind of way. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is holding a series of Roundtable meetings to consider the ethical and legal issues raised by this form of patenting and the implications for healthcare.