|
What are the attitudes held by religious leaders toward gene patents?
Few religions have given specific consideration to patents that cover gene-based inventions.
A religious coalition assembled in 1995 called the Joint Appeal Against Human and Animal Patenting, gained press attention by expressing opposition in general terms to patents covering living things as well as genes. The Joint Appeal did not, however, reflect a consensus among religions, or even among the religions represented. Most of the religious leaders who participated were not representing official positions, and many theologians have criticized the group's anti-patent statement. The U.S. Catholic Conference declined to support the statement.
Subsequently, the American Association for the Advancement of Science conducted a Dialogue Group on Genetic Patenting that included representatives from a variety of religions. This group adopted a more cautious view. It was opposed to patents on genomic DNA sequences, that is, on genes as they exist in the chromosomes. The group did not take a position on the patentability of inventions that include gene sequences. At least one theologian in the dialogue group found no religious objection to patents on such inventions.
More information on this topic can be found in Unprecedented Choices: Religious Ethics at the Frontiers of Genetic Science, by Audrey R. Chapman (Fortress Press, Minneapolis, 1999).
| 
Printer Friendly YES