Do Gene Patents Kill?

The Controversy Surrounding DNA Patenting

“You or someone you love may die because of a gene patent.” This dire prediction appeared in a 2007 New York Times editorial by Michael Crichton, coinciding with the introduction of a bill to ban the patenting of DNA. Although Congress has not acted, the American Civil Liberties Union and Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Patent Office and genetic testing company Myriad Diagnostics, claiming that gene patents are illegal and a violation of the Constitution. On the other side, universities and biotechnology companies argue that gene patents actually save lives by providing incentives for medical innovation.

Details

• The lecture is free and open to the law school community and general public.
• Parking is available on-site. Follow signs for event parking.
• RSVP not required but appreciated. Call (816) 235-1644.

Program speakers

Hans Sauer

Deputy General Counsel
Biotechnology Industry Organization

 

 

Hans Sauer is deputy general counsel for Intellectual Property for the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a major trade association representing over 1,100 biotechnology companies in the medical, agricultural, environmental, and industrial sectors. Sauer has 16 years of professional in-house experience in the biotechnology industry, where he worked on several research and drug development programs, being responsible for patent prosecution, clinical trial health information privacy, and sales and marketing legal compliance. He has a master’s degree in biology from the University of Ulm, Germany, a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Lund, Sweden, and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Daniel B. Ravicher

Deputy General Counsel
Biotechnology Industry Organization

 

 

Daniel B. Ravicher is executive director of the Public Patent Foundation. Labeled a modern day “Robin Hood” by Science magazine, Ravicher is a registered patent attorney who writes and speaks frequently on patent law and policy, including twice testifying before Congress.  He was named to both Managing Intellectual Property magazine's 50 Most Influential People in IP list and IP Law & Business magazine's Top 50 Under 45 list. Ravicher received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in materials science from the University of South Florida.  Ravicher writes about patent policy issues for the Huffington Post.