Human Gene Patents and the Question of Liberal Morality

Abstract

Since the establishment of the Human Genome Project and the identification of genes in human DNA that play a role in human diseases and disorders, a long, moral and political, battle has began over the extension of IPRs to information contained in human genetic material. According to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, over the past 20 years, large numbers of human genes have been the subject of thousands of patent applications. This paper examines whether human gene patents can be justified in terms of liberal theories of morality such as natural law, personality development, just reward and social utility. It is argued that human gene patents are in conflict with fundamental principles of liberal morality and justice because they result in "genetic information feudalism".

Knowledge Ecologies and Ecosystems? An Empirically Grounded Reflection on Recent Developments in Innovation Systems Theory

“…(9) The concept of embeddedness`r efers to the tendency for economic activity like any social action to be interwined withö embedded' within önetworks of social relations and structures'' (Adkins et al, 2007, page 5). (10) With regard to biosciences, patents constitute legal protection of biotechnological inventions that meet the criteria of novelty, inventiveness, and utility (Papaioannou, 2008).…”