PATENT LAW AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE: A CONSIDERATION OF THE CURRENT LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY CONCERNS REGARDING UPSTREAM PATENTS

9 Wake Forest Intell. Prop. L.J. 239

This article focuses on patentability issues concerning biotechnology, with specific emphasis on the status of patent law as it applies to regenerative medicine. The purpose of the article is to consider whether the United States’ protection of patents covering gene sequences and human embryonic stem cells is consistent with traditional patentability standards of patent law. In addition, the article provides an analysis of the impact and potential consequences of providing broad patent protection over what are, essentially, the building blocks of human life and essential keys to the progress of biotechnology.