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this is bad news Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "schild.m" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 11:17 AM Subject: EU regulators say 'no' to embryonic stem cell patents > http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/eu-regulators-embryonic-stem-cell-patents/article-177593 > > EU regulators say 'no' to embryonic stem cell patents > Published: Friday 28 November 2008 > > The European Patent Office (EPO) yesterday (27 November) ruled against > allowing a patent on developing human stem cell cultures whose preparation > involves the destruction of embryos. The decision may hamper stem cell > research for commercial purposes, as companies may have little incentive > to > finance it without patent protection. > The EPO's appeal board confirmed an earlier decision regarding the use of > stem > cells filed by the US Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) in 1995. > The EPO, however, stressed that their decision did not concern the general > question of human stem cell patentability. > Critics say research on embryonic cells is immoral, but advocates stress > that > stem cells taken from newborn embryos are crucial for the exploration of > potential cures for diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson's. > A 1998 EU directive clearly forbids patents on the industrial use of human > embryos, yet industry has tried time and again to push them through. > German > Green MEP Hiltrud Breyer, who is also president of the European Parliament > Bioethics Intergroup, "wholeheartedly" welcomed the "landmark ruling", > saying > that "human dignity has rightfully been put first". > She called on the European Patent Office to prohibit patents on stem > cells, > which cause the destruction of human embryos. "Such patents come at the > expense of patients and doctors," she said, adding that patents should > only > allow technical use, not the gene itself. > The Conference of European Bishops also welcomed the EPO ruling, > describing it > as a "sensible decision and an important signal towards the protection of > human embryos". > WARF said it was considering various responses and stressed that the > decision > would not affect patent rights in the US. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn