Patents on Life : Religious, Moral, and Social Justice Aspects of Biotechnology and Intellectual Property

Brings legal, religious, ethical, and political perspectives to bear on debates about biotechnology patents or 'patents on life'. With international, interfaith, and cross-disciplinary contributions, it will appeal to legal scholars, policymakers, advocates, and religious ethicists and leaders working in the area of social ethics and justice.

This volume brings together a unique collection of legal, religious, ethical, and political perspectives to bear on debates concerning biotechnology patents, or ''patents on life''. The ever-increasing importance of biotechnologies has generated continual questions about how intellectual property law should treat such technologies, especially those raising ethical or social-justice concerns. Even after many years and court decisions, important contested issues remain concerning ownership of and rewards from biotechnology - from human genetic material to genetically engineered plants – and regarding the scope of moral or social-justice limitations on patents or licensing practices. This book explores a range of related issues, including questions concerning morality and patentability, biotechnology and human dignity, and what constitute fair rewards from genetic resources. It features high-level international, interfaith, and cross-disciplinary contributions from experts in law, religion, and ethics, including academics and practitioners, placing religious and secular perspectives into dialogue to examine the full implications of patenting life.