Gene patents: a broken incentives system.

TitleGene patents: a broken incentives system.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsHuang Y-H
JournalJ Relig Health
Volume52
Issue4
Pagination1079-84
Date Published2013 Dec
ISSN1573-6571
KeywordsBiomedical Research, Genes, Genetics, Medical, Humans, Motivation, Ownership, Patents as Topic, Patient Rights
Abstract

The proliferation of patents on human genes has raised important ethical questions centered on the conflict of patient rights and intellectual property rights. With the Supreme Court's June 2013 decision that altered the patent eligibility of genetic material, it is important to reexamine the ethical implications of gene patents as a concept. Such patents suggest an ownership of genetic material that may hinder access to healthcare and inhibit medical progress. The application of the current patent system to genetic material thus violates patients' rights without fulfilling the system's goal of promoting innovation, suggesting a need for a revised incentives infrastructure.

DOI10.1007/s10943-013-9758-2
Alternate JournalJ Relig Health
PubMed ID23877132
PubMed Central IDPMC3819421
Grant ListT32 GM007739 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
T32GM07739 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States

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