Parliament repeats call for rejection of genetic patents
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution repeating its call to the European Patent Office (EPO) to ensure that it does not award patents which violate the principle of non-patentability of human beings, human genes or cells in their natural environment. The resolution follows the granting of patents by the American authorities to the biotechnology company Myriad Genetics for the breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. MEPs concerned that the European Patent Office will grant patents for these genes are calling on the EPO to carefully consider such a request and take into account objections from bodies such as the Institut Curie. MEPs also want Parliament to object formally to the filing of such patents.