Briefings

The Implications of a Species Patent; Indian Government Revokes Agracetus Species Patent on Cotton

Tuesday 29th March 1994

ISSUE: On March 2, 1994 Agracetus, Inc. (a subsidiary of W.R. Grace & Co.) received a European Patent on all transgenic soybean varieties. The company has a similar patent pending in the USA. In addition, Agracetus has a world patent (WIPO) pending for genetic transformation of rice.

IMPACT: Sweeping patent claims on all transgenic soybeans, a previous patent on all transgenic cotton, and a portfolio of patents pending on other major crops--(rice, groundnuts, maize and more) give W.R. Grace legal monopolies and exclusive control over any genetically engineered variety of soybeans and cotton for the life of the patent. A major chemical corporation is thus positioned to control the direction of future biotechnology research on two of the world's major food and industrial crops. These shocking examples of species-wide" patent claims confirm that the intellectual property system as applied to biotechnology products and processes is out of control, posing a serious threat to global food security and the well-being of small farmers.

Who Owns the Human Genome? Patenting the Human Cell Lines of Indigenous People

Monday 31st January 1994

Issue: In the 1980's US court decisions set international precedent for the patenting of human genetical material. As a result, exclusive monopolies over human genetic materials are becoming commonplace in the industrialized world, without discussion of the social, ethical and political implications. Perhaps most disturbing is the degree to which orinary citizens, both North and South, have been marginalized from discussion and debate on the patenting of human genetic material.

Wednesday 29th December 1993

-Human Genome Diversity Project

-Rubber

-Castor Oil

-Pyrethrum

-US Patents Awarded on Materials Derived from African Plants: Monelli0n and Thaumatin

-Endod

-Citrus

-Bovine Growth Hormone

-Genetically Engineered Human Milk Proteins

-Bio-Piracy and Neem

-Who Owns Bt and

-Potato Blight

Cotton Monopolies: Conservation and Use of Native Colored Cotton for Development

Monday 29th November 1993

Patent-like claims on two coloured cotton varieties raise many questions and concerns about the ownership and control of coloured cotton, and the lack of compensation for indigenous knowledge and germplasm from the South.

Importance of Cotton as a Foreign Exchange Earner. What Impact on Farmers?

Saturday 31st July 1993

Agracetus, a subsidiary of W.R. Grace, receives a shockingly broad US patent covering all genetically engineered cotton varieties. This is the first reported case where one patent covers all transgenic plants of an entire species.

Early Warning for Third World Farmers. Update: Bovine Growth Hormone in Mexico

Tuesday 29th June 1993

Genpharm claims that its bio-engineered human proteins have the potential to make infant formula more "nutritionally complete." Will infant formula manufacturers revive unethical marketing practices that have led to death and illness for millions of children in the Third World?

Preservation Versus Conservation; Intellectual Property Rights

Saturday 29th May 1993

RAFI warns that the Human Genome Diversity Project's outrageous proposal to collect human DNA from 722 communities around the world has serious implications for indigenous peoples. Will profits be made from the genes of poor people whose physical survival is in question? Who will have access and what benefits will accrue to indigenous communities?

What Benefit for Ethiopia? New and Controversial Developments in Intellectual Property

Monday 29th March 1993

The University of Toledo applies for a patent on Ethiopia's Endod to control zebra mussels, but royalties will not go to the plant's original innovators.

Green Revolution Revisited? Exploiting Wild Genetic Resources

Sunday 29th November 1992

A backgrounder on rice biotechnology and the public and private efforts to engineer the world's most important food crop.

Wednesday 30th September 1992

Three new developments in potato production:

- True potato seed

- Rapid multiplication technologies for seed potatoes

- Genetic engineering for potatoes

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