Biotechnology is one of the most promising fields of technology, especially since molecular biology methods have enhanced our knowledge of genes, their structure, and their action. This knowledge makes it possible to change genetic material and construct new varieties of cultural plants and animals for various purposes such as nutrition, scientific and medical experimentation, and treatment of human diseases. Such inventions may even include human genes. The understandable desire to have legal protection in this domain has created new problems - especially from the viewpoint of the law and acquiring patents for these new inventions. These problems are under wide discussion and are often controversial. This volume provides a unique overview of the current problems and opinions in this controversial field.

Session 1

Begrüßung
Welcoming Adress
Patenting of Human Genes and Living Organisms - A Nightmare for the Scientist
Patenting of Human Genes and Living Organisms - The Legal Situation in Europe
Remarks on "Technology Transfer and the Genome Program"
Session 2
Intellectual Property in the Field of Life Sciences
Session 3
Legal Protection of Living Organisms from the Point of View of Scientists in Animal Breeding
Legal Protection of Living Organisms from the Point of View of Scientists in Plant Breeding
"Patenting" of Living Organisms - Patents and Plant Breeders' Rights - From the Point of View of Plant Breeders
Genetic Diversity and the Indian Seed Industry
Patenting Living Organisms and Their Parts: The Point of View of Science Administration
Patenting of Human Genes and Living Organisms - The Current Practice of the European Patent Office
Session 4
Patenting of Human Genes and Living Organisms: An Ethical Point of View
Session 5
The Patenting of Genes and Living Organisms: The South's View
Patenting of Human Genes and Living Organisms: The Socio-Political Situation in the United States of America
Session 6
The Human Renin-Angiotensin-System in Transgenic Rats
Which Rules of Patenting are Acceptable from the Point of View of Industry?
Patentability of Human Genes and Living Organisms: Principles of a Possible International Understanding
What does Pharmaceutical Industry expect of Patenting Human Genes and Living Organisms?
Round Table Discussion.