Carolyn just emailed this one which caught my eye:


Press ReleaseSource: Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)BIO Joins with Broad Coalition to Preserve Innovation Incentives in Patent Reform
Wednesday May 16, 3:54 pm ET
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070516/20070516006179.html?.v=1
Efforts to Reform Patent Law Must Not Undermine Biotechnology Innovation

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today joined more than 100 companies, associations, venture capital firms and universities in sending a letter to key leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to urge a cautious approach to reforming patent law that continues to protect biomedical innovation.
In the letter, the organizations expressed concern that provisions of "The Patent Reform Act of 2007" (H.R. 1908/S. 1145) pose serious threats to medical innovation and American technological leadership. The letter was addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
"We strongly believe that certain provisions (of the legislation), such as those dealing with apportionment of monetary damages for patent infringement, expansive PTO rule making authority, an open-ended post grant opposition system, and a narrow grace period will not strengthen our patent system but instead will fundamentally undermine patent certainty, discourage investment in innovative technologies, and reduce publication and collaborative activities among academic scientists," wrote the organizations. "The harm to investment in tomorrow's technologies would be felt immediately, and would hurt U.S. competitiveness for years to come."
"Biotechnology innovations provide hope by extending the lives of people around the world suffering from debilitating diseases. Future innovations may lead to improved therapies and perhaps even cures for cancer, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and rare diseases. To fulfill this promise, we must have a patent system that provides certainty for researchers, innovators and investors," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.
"We welcome efforts by Congress improve the U.S. patent system. We will continue to work with the Committee and the full Congress to ensure that any patent reform legislation truly improves the system and does not undermine a structure that has been the driving force behind lifesaving and life-enhancing biotechnology breakthroughs."
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry.Upcoming BIO Events---------------------- BIO VentureForum-East 2007 June 18-20, 2007 Montreal, Canada-- BIO Mid-America VentureForum 2007 Sept. 24-26, 2007 Milwaukee, WI


Contact:Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)Jeff Joseph, 202-962-9230jjoseph@bio.orgwww.bio.org

"In the letter, the organizations expressed concern that provisions of "The Patent Reform Act of 2007" (H.R. 1908/S. 1145) pose serious threats to medical innovation and American technological leadership"

What? America cannot share its technological leadership worldwide? I wasn't aware that American's suffer more than underdeveloped countries. Is American biotechnology more concerned about American's disabled rather than humankind. Are they afraid of a little competition from other countries more willing to openly exchange information? The federal government needs to look to building trust with other countries as far as medical innovation and technology and information be shared, not decrease the trust.

The only purpose of patent's is to close off competition. Some biological information, such as DNA, cannot be patented but must remain open to all mankind as all man has DNA or genes. The good of humankind should triumph over American bio tech industry "leadership." No wonder so many countries hate America. Patents are a selfish, "me, me, me" concept and allows for no sharing of information.

American technological leadership? What about technological worldwide leadership? Just imagine the possibilities?

Vicky Lynn

Vicky

You are probably right about the competition issue, but imagine where entrepreneurship would be if we didn't have a patent system! It is a protection for the person (business) willing to take a marketing risk.

It costs a bundle to develop a product, and it may or may not sale. If there was no means of protecting what one had created/invented, anybody might steal the idea anda mass produce the copycat product but with inferior qualities - making it fail to sell. (I hope I am explaining this well enough)

There are time restrictions on most patents - like most drug discoveries are something like 7 years. And when it comes to a life-saving thing (like GDNF for example), I think the lalw should be flexible to allow the product to be studied or used for furthering improvement.

But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. It's the potential blockbuster sale that attracts ideas.

Peggy

Dear Peg,

Will agree with patenting of drugs, but will never want patenting of genetic information. Smaller companies who want to do research using genetic tissue patented by a large pharmaceutical company are unable to buy the rights to use data. I might add the larger company is then eliminating avenues of research that is not a "moneymaker" but may be an prove to be an incredible medical for the smaller company.

Do you know if you have mutations? My getting that information saved my life by confirming I had Parkinson's disease. I was evaluated by a researcher who decided I had delayed stress syndrome and would not consider me as a candidate for DBS. I had read several studies stating that my particular mutations were controlled well with DBS. I was in ICU two times in summer of 2005 because my kidneys couldn't handle the protein being broken down because of severe dyskenias. I was able to convince the neurologist of his mistaken diagnosis by the results of the test on my Parkin gene and an FDOPA Scan which showed I was moderately advanced.

There is absolutely no reason for researchers to deny research patient volunteers the results of their own DNA. The patient may need the information to learn more about his illness and make better health decisions. The patient cannot change the results of his test so it won't skew or change the results of the outcome of the information.

I finally had DBS surgery in December of 2005 and since then I have been able to see two of my sons married, held my first grandchild, and helped my oldest homeless son by getting him back home, walking him over and getting him enrolled in a truck driving school. He graduated top of his class and is now a productive and sweet man.

Not having open patents of genetic research is a crime. It is a crime against humanity. All mankind will benefit if open patents are made available for genetic research worldwide.

Respectfully,
Vicky Lynn