Patenting and the Human Body

Abstract

In this extract from "Principles of Medical Law", Laurie considers the current state of play regarding the influence on medical law of patent law and patent rights. Laurie goes on to consider possible restrictions and grounds for objection in being granted a patent. Comparison is made across jurisdictions as to what constitutes a discovery; moral considerations of granting patents; and interpretation of patent requests. The chapter closes with a section on the access to medicines debate and the international dimension.