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STEM CELL PATENTS
The patents covering much work on
human embryonic stem cells are owned by the Wisconsin Alumni Research
Foundation (WARF). WARF does not charge academics to study human stem
cells but does charge commercial users. WARF sold Geron Corp. exclusive
rights to work on human stem cells but later sued Geron Corp. to recover
some of the previously sold rights. The two sides agreed that Geron
Corp. would keep the rights to only three cell types. In 2001 WARF came
under public pressure to widen access to human stem-cell technology.
These patents are now in doubt as a request for their review by the US
Patent and Trademark Office has been filed by non-profit
patent-watchdogs The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights and the
Public Patent Foundation as well as molecular biologist Jeanne Loring of
the Burnham Institute. They contend that two of the patents granted to
WARF are invalid because they cover a technique published in 1992 for
which a patent had already been granted to an Australian researcher.
Another part of the challenge states that these techniques, developed by
James A. Thomson, are rendered obvious by a 1990 paper and two
textbooks.
The outcome of this legal challenge is particularly relevant to the
Geron Corp. as it can only license patents that are upheld
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What
is a stem cell?
Research history and
developments
Isolation and in vitro culture
Production of male gametes
Contamination by reagents used in cell culture
Reducing donor-host rejection
Potential method for new cell line derivation
Stem cell therapies
Controversy of
Embryonic stem cell research
Arguments for cell research state these reasons:
Arguments against embryonic stem cell research
Stem cells without embryonic destruction
Patents covering human
stem cell research
International policy
context
US policy debate
Origins of policy debate in the U.S.
Congressional response
References |