New Technique Makes Most Gene Patents Irrelevant

Billy the Mountain writes "This Scientific American article, Legal Circumvention, describes a technique for circumventing gene patents whereby living cells are coaxed into expressing genes, especially those genes currently held under patents. Although, would-be exploiters of genes are prevented by patent restrictions from constructing a particular sequence and replicating it, patent law cannot be enforced in instances where an existing cell or organism is caused to express any of these patented genes and proteins."

Comments

Hmm...

[smoondog]

But the changes required to avoid the patents, in my opinion, are likely to be more expensive than licensing the patent itself. It is very difficult to find a gene product that can be used without cellular purification....

-Sean

Re:Genetically modified seeds?

[SpamJunkie]

This case is a big deal here in Saskatoon. Your facts are incorrect: it was shown that the seeds could not have blown off a truck. An engineer here at the U of S showed, in court, that the seeds could not have been distributed in such a way.