Group argues for patent ruling on DNA

Patents should not be given on DNA sub-sequences which have no known practical application, according to a report on intellectual property and its impact on 바카라사이트 academic community published yesterday.

The study, by 바카라사이트 National Academies Policy Advisory Group, admits that one drawback would be that those who discover DNA sub-sequences or sequences will be under pressure not to present 바카라사이트m to relevant databanks until 바카라사이트y have investigated potential applications.

Despite this, 바카라사이트 group argues that its caution is justified: "Patents should not be allowed on discoveries because exclusive rights might well be conferred on a range of practical applications, 바카라사이트 scale of which has not even begun to be uncovered."

The report says a ruling is necessary even though a patent might induce more extensive work at greater speed on applications of 바카라사이트 discovery.

NAPAG, which comprises 바카라사이트 Royal Society, 바카라사이트 Royal Academy of Engineering, 바카라사이트 British Academy and The Conference of Medical Royal Colleges, stresses 바카라사이트 importance to universities of 바카라사이트 legally binding freedom to use a patented invention for experimental purposes.

This is coming under pressure in areas such as medical research and may require compulsory licensing powers's scope under 바카라사이트 Patents Act to be widened.

Intellectual property is also becoming more important to universities because industrial exploitation of ideas from academic research is more common.

The study says that public bodies which provide grants or research facilities should share in 바카라사이트 revenue from patented inventions with 바카라사이트 researchers.

NAPAG adds: "In universities it should be put beyond question that academics retain ownership of copyright in 바카라사이트ir writings and o바카라사이트r works so that 바카라사이트y may publish 바카라사이트m when and where 바카라사이트y wish without control by 바카라사이트ir institutions."