An Alternative to Intellectual Property Laws in Pharmacogenomics

2006

International Journal of the Humanities

The completion of a high quality comprehensive sequence of the human genome has lead to the discovery of genetic links to complex diseases and the development of target drugs. Population databases which have been used in research for many decades can now be analyzed for genetic variations at the DNA level and links to simple and complex diseases can be made. Population genetic databases (PGDs) are a powerful resource to the systematic study of the genetic component of disease; the benefits to society from this science are far reaching.Through an analysis of current database protection laws, patent law and the open source biotechnology movement this paper examines how laws and norms can impact innovation in the field of pharmacogenomics.

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