Patents on Life

This volume brings together a unique collection of legal religious ethical and political perspectives to bear on debates concerning biotechnology patents or ''patents on life''. The ever-increasing importance of biotechnologies has generated continual questions about how intellectual property law should treat such technologies especially those raising ethical or social-justice concerns. Even after many years and court decisions important contested issues remain concerning ownership of and rewards from biotechnology - from human genetic material to genetically engineered plants and regarding the scope of moral or social-justice limitations on patents or licensing practices. This book explores a range of related issues including questions concerning morality and patentability biotechnology and human dignity and what constitute fair rewards from genetic resources. It features high-level international interfaith and cross-disciplinary contributions from experts in law religion and ethics including academics and practitioners placing religious and secular perspectives into dialogue to examine the full implications of patenting life.