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Stem Cell Research Running Into IP Brick Walls

Posted by Soulskill on from the still-waiting-on-my-patent-on-cell-division-to-come-through dept.

hlovy writes "The profit motive can — yes, shockingly — drive biotech research. But, according to a report by the AFP news agency, this same drive to make money is actually putting the brakes on embryonic stem cell research. With the research already set back years due to government research bans, US scientists now face roadblocks because other universities or companies have secured exclusive rights."

1 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Re:What about government hindering innovation? by flaming+error · · Score: 4, Insightful

    > exclusivity contracts in medical research are stupid.
    I don't think that's exactly the problem. The article is about patents.

    Lots of people have problems with biotech patents because it seems immoral to patent a life form.

    I sympathize with that view, but in my opinion DNA is software. On patenting software I like Donald Knuth's view, that software is math and it makes no sense to patent math.