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First published online March 8, 2007
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2006-0684v1
25/6/1507    most recent
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Submitted on November 1, 2006
Accepted on February 18, 2007

Embryonic Stem Cells

Isolated stem cells - patentable as culture artifacts?

Mats G. Hansson 1*, Gert Helgesson 1, Richard Wessmann 2, Rudolf Jaenisch 3

1 Centre for Bioethics at Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University, Department of Public Health and Caring Services, Uppsala, Sweden
2 Department of Law, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
3 Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Mats.Hanson{at}bioethiocs.uu.se.


  Abstract

This article argues that an isolated embryonic stem cell (ES) basically represents a culture artifact that has no equivalent to cells of the embryo and that it is likely that the isolation of adult stem cells has a similar consequence. An isolated stem cell could thus be distinguished as something else than the stem cell existing as part of a human body. Since isolation of stem cells implies modification, product patents should, where the results carry enough novelty, inventive step and potential for industrial application, as a matter of principle be a viable option for patent authorities. Questions of morality, which may affect the patentability, should also be viewed in the light of the distinction between isolated result and body part. At the same time it is essential that patent authorities do not accept broad patent claims that will be detrimental to research.

Key Words. Stem cells, patent, ethics




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