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Patents On Synthetic Life "Extremely Damaging"

Posted by kdawson on from the that-gene-right-there-that-one's-mine dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Pioneer and veteran of genomics Professor John Sulston is extremely concerned about the patent applications on the first synthetic life-form. The patents were filed by the Venter Institute following the announcement of the first life-form to have a synthetic genome. Sulston claims the patent is excessively broad and would stifle research and development in the field by creating an effective monopoly on synthetic life and related molecular techniques. Prof. Sulston had previously locked horns ten years ago with Dr. Craig Venter over intellectual property issues surrounding the human genome project. Fortunately, Sulston won the last round and the HGP is freely accessible — Venter had wanted to charge for access, just as he now wishes to make 'synthetic life' proprietary."

3 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. Patents by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Interesting

    We should start calling them "Letters of Marque", so people will understand their purpose better.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  2. Re:This ain't a patent troll by A+beautiful+mind · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I propose a viewpoint. As opposed to keeping discussion specific to individual patents or details of a certain case, we should talk about nuking the whole patent system entirely. It is a net loss. It is an archaic system based on naíve economic ideas. It is time to euthanize it.

    --
    It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
    Be yourself no matter what they say
  3. Re:This ain't a patent troll by arth1 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    if there was no chance for a profit, it is unlikely that Venter would have spend the last 15 years and shitloads of money on the project.

    Correct.
    Which would have given others with less money more of a chance to work on this, without feeling it would be fruitless to compete against the big pockets and risk being sued into oblivion.