Gene Patenting and Human Health: An Issue for Reform.

Discusses a public inquiry conducted by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) into the ways of changing the Australian Patent Law to adapt to the issues of patenting genetic materials and technologies as of June 1, 2004. Concerns about the application of patent law to genetic materials and technologies; Impact of exploiting gene patents in the marketplace on the health care system; Discussion paper entitled "Gene Patenting and Human Health," published by the ALRC in March 2004, which contains proposals for reform on the practice of gene patenting. INSETS: Patents on "Junk" DNA;Bioprospecting.