Bio/Technology/Diversity Week Volume 4 No.1 (1995)

Bio/Technology/Diversity Week Volume 4 No.1 (1995) Code Number: NL95002 Size of Files: Text: 18.5K No associated graphics files Bio/Technology/Diversity News Produced by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy January 18, 1995 Volume 4, Number 1 _____________________________________________ HEADLINES _____________________________________________ - BIOTECH IN 1995 Sources predict that international pressure in the world trade arena involving food standards will force the U.S. to do away with trade restrictions based on environmental or human health grounds. - PTO REVERSES DECISION ON COTTON PATENT Last month, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) announced that it had tentatively reversed a decision to grant a company a sweeping patent on all genetically engineered varieties of cotton. - CLINICAL TRIALS ON HUMANS NO LONGER REQUIRED The PTO announced last month that it will no longer require human clinical trials before granting patents for biotechnology products. - GENETIC SCREENING RACES AHEAD With discoveries of more genes responsible for certain diseases, genetic screening is moving ahead quickly. However, critics say the ethical side of genetic screening has failed to keep pace with the scientific advances. - GENENTECH VICTOR IN rDNA PATENT DISPUTE Genentech reached a $145 million settlement with Eli Lilly over a patent dispute involving products derived from recombinant DNA technology, such as the company's human growth hormone (HGH). - GLAXO MAY BENEFIT FROM GATT Glaxo, manufacturer of the popular ulcer medication Zantac, said it may benefit as a result of provisions in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). - EU EXTENDS rBGH MORATORIUM Last month, European Union (EU) agriculture ministers decided to extend the current moratorium on recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) through the end of 1999 -- close to the end of the current EU milk marketing quota regime. - OECD GIVING NEW ATTENTION TO BIOTECH The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports that many countries have made arrangements to cooperate on questions of biotechnology. - GERMAN PUBLIC OPINION FORCING BIOTECH COMPANIES TO GO ELSEWHERE In Germany, public opposition to biotechnology is running so high that companies like Hoechst, BASF and Bayer are investing in biotech ventures elsewhere. BIODIVERSITY _____________________________________________ - GROUP SAYS BIODIV TREATY TOO SCARY FOR WORDS The founder of a group called Putting People First said the Biodiversity Convention is too scary for words. - UNDP, IUCN REACH AGREEMENT TO PRESERVE BIODIVERSITY The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) reached an agreement which will strengthen the cooperative activities of the two organizations and help promote the preservation of biological diversity. RESOURCES _____________________________________________ The Center for Biotechnology Policy and Ethics at Texas A&M University produces a quarterly newsletter which contains the latest information pertaining to science policy and ethics. For more CALENDAR OF EVENTS _____________________________________________ Edited by: Michelle Thom, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, 1313 5th Street SE Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55414, Tel: (612) 379-5980 Fax: (612) 379-5982 Email: mthom@igc.apc.org or iatp@igc.apc.org