Genes and Ingenuity: Gene patenting and human health (ALRC 99)
In December 2002, the federal Attorney-General asked the ALRC to examine the laws and practices governing intellectual property rights over genetic materials and related technologies, with a particular focus on human health issues.
The ALRC released an Issues Paper, Gene Patenting and Human Health (IP 27) in July 2003, which defined the scope of the inquiry and outlined questions for discussion.
A further consultation paper, Gene Patenting and Human Health (DP 68), was released in March 2004.
The final report, Genes and Ingenuity: Gene Patenting and Human Health (ALRC 99) was delivered to the federal Attorney-General before the reporting deadline of 30 June 2004 and was tabled in federal Parliament on 31 August 2004.
One recommendation of ALRC 99 has been implemented, and the remaining recommendations are under consideration by the Australian Government.
Media Releases relating to this inquiry:
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Patent law reform needed to boost biotech: ALRC (31 August 2004)
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ALRC inquiry reveals confusion, anxiety over gene patents (4 March 2004)
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ALRC to undertake major new inquiry into gene patenting (18 December 2002)