HomeResearchExtramural ResearchELSI Research Program Intellectual Property Issues Surrounding Access to and Use of Genetic Information

Print Version

Intellectual Property Issues Surrounding Access to and Use of Genomic Information

Grand Challenge I-3

To maximize the positive impact of genomics on human health, it is necessary to understand the impact of current laws and regulations on the development and utilization of genomic technologies and to understand the relationship between the commercial incentives for development of useful products and the benefits of free and open access. Research in this area examines the impact that laws, regulations, and practices in the area of intellectual property have on both the development and commercialization of genomic technologies and derived products and the access to and use of such technologies and information by both researchers and the public.

Examples of possible research questions:

• What impact do the laws, regulations, and practices in the area of intellectual property have on both the development and commercialization of genomic technologies and derived products, and on access to and use of such technologies and information by both researchers and the public?
  
  
• How can a balance be achieved between the commercial incentives for development of useful products that are provided by the patent system, versus the research and public health benefits of free and open access?
  
  
• What is the impact of international treaties, laws, regulations, practices, belief systems and other social and cultural factors on these and related questions?
  
  
• Are there unique intellectual property implications of direct to consumer genotyping services?

Top of page

Last Reviewed: September 25, 2008