Open AccessThe Patentability of Human Beings: The Effect of a Proposed Exclusion in the Patents Act 1953
Author(s) -
Alexandra MacBean
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
victoria university of wellington law review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1179-3082
pISSN - 1171-042X
DOI - 10.26686/vuwlr.v33i2.5845
Subject(s) - patentability , project commissioning , patent law , publishing , law and economics , law , political science , business , economics , intellectual property
The author critically examines the debate over whether “human beings” ought to be patentable. The article outlines the choices between excluding just the patenting of whole organisms or parts of organisms. After considering New Zealand, Canadian, and European Union Patent law, the author concludes that at very least New Zealand must statutorily prevent the patenting of whole organisms.