Support Ban on Patenting of Human Organisms6/23/2011
On June 22, the U.S. House of Representatives began consideration of the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249), a bill to update patent law. The Manager’s Amendment (the final version of the bill) includes a provision to prohibit the patenting of a human organism. This provision simply codifies in permanent law a policy that has been in appropriations law since fiscal year 2004, through an amendment that was offered by Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL) with the strong support of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Weldon amendment, in turn, reflects a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) policy in place since 1987 against patenting any human organism. ACTION: Contact your Representative by phone or e-mail: - Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or call your Representative’s local office.
- Send an e-mail through NCHLA’s Grassroots Action Center. Click here.
- Additional contact info can be found on Representatives’ web sites at: www.house.gov.
MESSAGE: “Please support the ban on patenting a human organism in H.R. 1249, and oppose any attempt to weaken or eliminate the provision. No member of the human species is mere property to be licensed, bought, or sold.” WHEN: Please contact your Representative immediately. Thanks! Updated 6/23/11
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