Gene Patents

26 November 2010

© Commonwealth of Australia 2010
ISBN 978-1-74229-384-4

View the report as a single document - (PDF 834KB)

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View the report as separate downloadable parts:

MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE	(PDF 12KB)
ABBREVIATIONS	(PDF 7KB)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY	(PDF 25KB)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5
RECOMMENDATIONS	(PDF 23KB)
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION	(PDF 13KB)
Terms of reference Conduct of the inquiry The report Terminology used in this report
CHAPTER 2 - BACKGROUND TO THE INQUIRY	(PDF 105KB)
INTRODUCTION The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene patents Attempted enforcement of rights over BRCA genes by Genetic Technologies AUSTRALIA'S PATENT SYSTEM Definition of a patent Purpose of the patent system Nature of patent rights Requirements for grant of a patent Challenging patents International patent system Previous and current inquiries relevant to gene patents
CHAPTER 3 - THE IMPACT OF GENE PATENTS	(PDF 153KB)
INTRODUCTION Provision and costs of healthcare Training and accreditation for healthcare professionals Progress in medical research Health and wellbeing of the Australian people CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 4 - EXPRESS PROHIBITION OF GENE PATENTS	(PDF 166KB)
INTRODUCTION Types of gene patents Extension of patent law to human genes and genetic materials Should the Patents Act 1990 be amended so as to expressly prohibit the grant of patent monopolies over human genes and genetic materials? Discovery v invention Ethical objections to gene patents Impacts of express prohibition on gene patents Effectiveness of express prohibition on gene patents Barriers to express prohibition on gene patents Alternatives to express prohibition on gene patents CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 5 - MEASURES TO AMELIORATE ANY ADVERSE IMPACTS OF GENE PATENTS	(PDF 167KB)
INTRODUCTION Raising the thresholds of patentability Manner of manufacture Inventive step Usefulness Full description and fair basis OTHER MEASURES Crown use provisions Compulsory licensing Research exemption Inclusion of anti-avoidance provisions in Patents Act 1990 Inclusion of objects in Patents Act 1990 'PBS' style approach External accountability/patent quality mechanisms Patent pools CONCLUSION
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS - SENATORS COONAN AND HEFFERNAN.	(PDF 5KB)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS - SENATOR BOYCE	(PDF 4KB)
APPENDIX 1 - LIST OF PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS, TABLED DOCUMENTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AUTHORISED FOR PUBLICATION BY THE COMMITTEE	(PDF 24KB)
APPENDIX 2 - WITNESSES WHO APPEARED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE AT PUBLIC HEARINGS	(PDF 11KB)

For further information, contact:

Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone:	+61 2 6277 3515
Fax:	+61 2 6277 5829
Email:	community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au