Patenting cDNA 1993: efforts and happenings (Human Genome Project; NIH: US PTO; onco-mouse; European Patents)

The National Institute of Health (NIH) and Dr. J.C. Venter applied for patents for the sequences of cDNA fragments from a brain library. The scientific community objected strenuously on emotional grounds. The NIH argues that these sequences might never be patentable even when completed. The issue became an international one with the British applying for patents to protect their position while the French, Italians and Japanese vowed not to patent cDNA. The United States Patent Trademark Office (US PTO) strongly rejected the NIH's application. The NIH is appealing the decision.