Biotech patent directive amended


11 May 1998


Biotech patent directive amended

EUROPEAN parliamentarians will reveal this week whether they have changed their minds on the patenting of biotechnological products.

Three years ago, EU MPs voted against a similar directive on the patenting of biotechnological products but this time it has been amended to appease its past opponents. It is aimed at harmonising patent laws across the European Union, bringing them in line with the US and Japan.

The directive allows the patenting of genetically modified plants and animals but not humans.

  • Financial Times 11/05/98 page 3

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