Embryonic Stem Cells Research = $$$?

[papaspicy]

I recently heard that one of the reasons why the scientific community really wants to expand embryonic stem cell research is that any cures and advances made from this method can be patented, and hence be profitable for the researcher. On the other hand, progress from adult stem cell research can’t be turned into money in the hands of the researcher (according to the current patent laws). Is this true? Is there somewhere I can learn more about this? What would be the reason for the disparity in this issue?

 

[oldfogey]

I know of patents on naturally occuring proteins in the body, so I don’t see why both the results from adult stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research could not be patented.

What amazes me is that the public appears ready to vote taxpayer’s dollars for stem cell research in any form, when the beneficiaries will be the large drug companies, who are already some of the richest corporations on the planet. These therapies will be the most expensive medical treatments if they are ever developed, and the public will pay dearly to get what they in fact paid to develop.

 

[2shelbys]

I know this is conspiratorial thinking but I am sure it is also true that a lot of the hard-left Democrats think that any eventual success in embryonic stem cell research will give them a tool to protect abortion.

 

[bettyg51]

On the Nov 7 ballot this year, Amendment 2 would permanently change Missouri’s Constitution to give a right to clone humans by redefineg cloning as “implanting”. And yes, they can patent the results of their research and profit off it, when the research is funded by the tax payers.
Encourage everyone you know in Missouri to make a sign and put it in the back window of their car to vote no on Amendment 2.

Read these sites:
nocloning.org/Reasons_to_Vote_NO.pdf
REASON 19
“Amendment 2 has potential to make some people and corporations very wealthy at Missourians’ expense.Researchers and bio-tech corporations stand to make a lot of money from patents - even if no cures ever come from human cloning and
embryonic stem cell research.”

2tricky.org/index.htm

 

[Rosalinda]

papaspicy Would this article be what you’re looking for?

The Stowers Institute has also formed the BioMed Valley Partnership, which includes a for-profit arm, BioMed Valley Discoveries Inc., set up to “patent, develop and market the discoveries of the Stowers Institute” and its partners to medical and pharmaceutical companies such as Merck or Pfizer. The BioMed Valley Partnership includes Kansas University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, whose researchers cede their intellectual property rights to BioMed Valley Discoveries in exchange for large endowments. Although Stowers officials claim that the conglomerate’s current business plan requires that profits be plowed back into Stowers Institute activities, this plan could be changed by its board of directors at any time. BioMed Valley Discoveries could go public at any time and possibly create billions of dollars in value, much of it generated by the tax dollars provided by Amendment 2 that would finance research at Stowers Institute. Stowers’ investment company could potentially be an early investor.

foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,227465,00.html

 

[Rosalinda]

This article should give you a clue about just how valuable those patents are.

In July, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) filed challenges to three overreaching stem cell patents held by WARF (the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation) that significantly undermine research and waste taxpayer money.
“… overly broad WARF patents stymie research and delay cures. It is absurd that WARF, or any organization, could own the rights to life itself. For the good of patients, these patents must be dissolved,” said Jerry Flanagan of FTCR…
The patent challenges filed by FTCR and the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) call on the United States Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine and revoke** three patents** that give the rights to all human embryonic stem cells used for research to WARF…

consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/pr/?postId=6865

This article, including all the background links provided, will give the layperson an appreciation how much money these patents are worth.

 

[Rosalinda]

Bettyg51, I agree with you on every count. If the welfare of patients were the primary motivating factor then everyone would be in agreement somatic (adult) cells are the way to go. It only makes sense to help the patient to heal or cure himself using his own stem cells.

Biotech industries want the chemicals embryos produce to organize and develop tissues. It is all about making the restoration of health as profitable as possible.