BIO Files Comments On Proposed Guidelines From PTO For Patenting Gene-Based Inventions
Chuck Ludlam, BIO's vice president for government affairs, said, "Our industry is united on the issue of patents directed to DNA coding sequences, proteins and polypeptides. We believe that the PTO's approach on its new guidelines meets the high standards of professionalism and responsibility we have come to expect from this agency.
"Our comments are generally favorable of the PTO proposals," Ludlam added, "but we do provide a series of recommendations for modifications."
BIO's comments to the PTO are posted at (www.bio.org) under Testimony in the Issues & Policies section.
A backgrounder on patenting gene-based inventions also is posted on BIO's website in the News and What's New sections along with a press release issued March 14 following the joint statement by President Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair on genetic research.
BIO represents more than 900 companies, academic institutions and state biotech centers in 47 states and 26 nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.