European Union trade ministers last week approved a directive on patenting
biotechnological inventions that they think will finally pass muster with the
European Parliament. MEPs have rejected every previous proposal. The directive,
which the parliament will see again in March, would allow a DNA sequence to be
patented only when its biological function is understood. The directive would
also ban changes to humans that can be passed on, and any modification of
animals that causes suffering without being of medical benefit.
More from 51¶¯Âþ
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending 51¶¯Âþ articles
1
Mathematicians stunned by AI's biggest breakthrough in mathematics yet
2
The Selfish Gene at 50: Why Dawkins’s evolution classic still holds up
3
The distant world that is our best hope of finding alien life
4
How I used psychology to come back from the worst year of my life
5
Photos reveal unexpected details from the world's first atomic test
6
The ‘doomsday’ glacier’s giant ice shelf is about to break away
7
Mystery of the ancient giant stone jars of Laos may have been solved
8
Epic dreaming is leaving people exhausted and distressed
9
Women’s better memories may delay Alzheimer’s diagnosis by years
10
Colossal claims an artificial eggshell will help it bring back the moa
