No patent on the mouse

[claire]

http://permanent.sciencesetavenir.com/sci_20021206.OBS3734.html

As usual click on the flag down the page.

I think it's a good decision not to allow a patent on
living material:)

[jamming]

Not to doubt you in your first few posts, my friend. But why do you think it is a Good Idea?

[claire]

Hi Jamming,

I think that living material(like genes etc)should not be
patented to let an open field to research.Could such a material be patented only large firms with huge financial
ressources would be able to patent and thus use these
materials.And those firms,as you surely know,don't have always the "general interest" in mind but only
their interest(look at what happened in South Africa when big conglomerates tried to forbid the market to
an anti aids treatment( cheaper and made by indian researchers).I agree that firms have to make benefit but
they should also have some "ethical" behaviour.And this
behaviour will only occur when everybody is able to work
on the same fields and subjects and not only the "patented" ones.This" ethical" behaviour should also apply to countries and governements but that's an other story.
Should we count only on large firms there would be no
researches and no cures for"orphan deseases" for instance.
Sorry for the long reply.I'll try to make it shorter next time
Regards :)

[jamming]

No it was perfect in length if it said all you wanted to say ;) So how does a Drug Company or University preserve the ability to make money off what they produce? If their research cost money what can be done to so that they might off set the money spent in a free market society? The cost of working on "Orphan Diseases" could be subsidized by the money made of the patent of the Mouse's Heritage. Instead of selling the better mouse in the future wouldn't the University have less reason to actually develope the mouse?

[claire]

Hi,
IMHO a drug company should make money on all her
products but should not be allowed to patent the ones
based on living materials(genes etc).The others patented products are numerous enough to create this benefit.The universities(at least in Europe) are mostly
subsided by the states so they can go on making researches on this particular field(and results open to everyone) without seeking benefit on this particular field.They can raise benefit by making researches(basic or
applicated(I don't kow if this is correct English) ones in
other domains
And as I tried to point out if you leave to Drugs Companies to invest their benefits(And I am clearly for benefits to avoid any misunderstandings) they will never
invest in "Orphan deseases" because the marked is too small to hope any benefit(But it is not a reason not to try to solve the problem of Orphan Deseases):)