Letter: Genetic patents
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Recent moves by the European Parliament to adopt the fundamentally flawed Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions Directive (report, 13 May) are worrying, to say the least.
This Directive blurs the line further between what constitutes an invention and a discovery, at a time when ethical considerations should be at the forefront of decision- making. Sadly, it seems such considerations come a distant second to the profiteering of industry.
People have the right to be asked before samples are taken from their bodies and patented. Under this Directive, that right will not exist.
Genetic modification of animals is one of the fastest growing areas of animal experimentation in the UK. In 1996, over 300,000 procedures involving genetically manipulated animals were carried out - an increase of 525 per cent since 1990.
This Directive will give the go-ahead for yet more experiments to be carried out at an ever-increasing rate. How does this lie with Labour's pledge to reduce animal experiments? Yet again, we see strong talk but little action.
Now is the time to have a wide-ranging debate on genetic engineering before we make decisions we later regret. At the moment, a hidden revolution is taking place that nobody voted for.
NORMAN BAKER MP
(Lewes, Lib Dem)
House of Commons
London SW1
The writer is Liberal Democrat Genetic Engineering Spokesperson
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments