Implications of Genetic Patents for Biomedical Research and Clinical Medicine (June 5, 2003)

Focus questions for the meeting:

• What does a public interest approach to intellectual property issues related to DNA based patents entail, particularly with regard to the development and availability of useful diagnostic and clinical products?
• What effects do patents have on the development and provision of clinical genetic services?
• What is the role of licensing arrangements for increasing access to patented genetic information for clinical research and testing?
• To what extent do genetic patents inhibit the development of new applications, products, and technologies?
• What kinds of initiatives have already or could make patented genetic information and discoveries more broadly available for the public benefit?