Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Dianne Nicol.
The sustainability of many research endeavors, particularly in controversial areas, requires an understanding of public concerns. As such, governance strategies should be developed to sustain public trust.
This article examines the enforcement of gene and other research tool patents in Australia. An empirical analysis of patenting practices in the Australian medical biotechnology industry showed heightened concern about the impact of patents on research and diagnostic testing, but provided little evidence to support these concerns at that time. Since then, the Australian company Genetic Technologies Ltd. has been enforcing its patents for non-coding DNA sequences. The governments of Australia are encouraging the biotechnology industry to better protect and enforce intellectual property rights, but recognize these needs to be balanced against access to healthcare. The article discusses proposals made by the Australian Law Reform Commission to adjust the balance, both by tightening the requirements for obtaining patents and by introducing various options to assist providers of diagnostic services and others in using patented inventions, but at the same time maintaining the incentive to innovate.
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It is generally recognised that public health problems in the developing world are dire and that the rest of the world has a moral commitment to provide assistance. Yet many of the world's poor are unable to access essential pharmaceuticals simply because products that are under patent are too expensive and cheaper generics are not available. One of the proposed solutions to this problem is to allow domestic manufacture of generic products in response to health crises. However, this solution will provide no assistance in countries that lack the capacity to manufacture pharmaceuticals. This article discusses the extensive international negotiations occurring during the last couple of years that seek to provide an appropriate balance between access rights and patent rights.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.