|
March 2000
BIO Files
Comments On Proposed Guidelines From PTO For Patenting Gene-Based
Inventions
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2000) – The Biotechnology Industry
Organization (BIO) today filed comments with the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office (PTO) on its proposed guidelines and training manual for issuing
patents on cDNAs (genes).
Chuck Ludlam, BIO's vice president for government affairs, said,
"Our industry is united on the issue of patents directed to DNA coding
sequences, proteins and polypeptides. We believe that the PTO's approach on
its new guidelines meets the high standards of professionalism and
responsibility we have come to expect from this agency.
"Our comments are generally favorable of the PTO proposals," Ludlam
added, "but we do provide a series of recommendations for modifications."
BIO's comments to the PTO are posted at (www.bio.org) under
Testimony in the Issues
& Policies section.
A backgrounder on patenting gene-based inventions also is posted on
BIO's website in the News and What's New sections along with a press release
issued March 14 following the joint statement by President Clinton and British
Prime Minister Tony Blair on genetic research.
BIO represents more than 900 companies, academic institutions and
state biotech centers in 47 states and 26 nations. BIO members are involved in
the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and
environmental biotechnology products.
| 
Printer Friendly